Huggan

Different Strokes

Continued (page 2 of 2)

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Merion impacted Edoardo's pro career. "That postponed my turning pro for another six months," he explains. "I wanted to play in the Masters, the U.S. Open and the British Open."

That first Masters experience was a memorable week for the brothers, who become noticeably emotional when talking about how much fun it was to share the experience. "That was maybe the greatest week we have ever had as brothers," says Edoardo, who shot 80-77 to miss the cut. "There I was playing with Tiger, and my brother was on my bag. Nothing could be better. It was just like a movie. It was hard for us to believe what we were doing. And, of course, our parents had a wonderful time. They will be back this year."

Francesco's most vivid memories are of the ever-hazardous 12th and 15th holes. "I remember him being unsure of the club sometimes, so he would ask me," he says with a smile. "Every time we got to the 12th, it was a really hard call. And I remember being really scared when he was hitting a 3-wood to the 15th green. It was strange. I was happy I didn't have to play the shots. But it is harder to watch than to play."

This April, when they become the first brothers to compete in the same Masters since Naomichi and Masashi (Jumbo) Ozaki in 2000, Francesco will find out if playing is easier. After a highly consistent '09 ("the only thing missing was a win") during which he finished T-27 at the U.S. Open, T-13 at the British Open and T-10 at the PGA Championship, he will be one of three Italian representatives at Augusta (16-year-old British Amateur champion Matteo Manassero is the third).

"It is unbelievable that we have three players in the field," beams Edoardo. "Matteo has been playing great. He is such a nice kid, very down-to-earth. He has the talent to become our best player ever. His only weakness is he lacks some distance off the tee. But he will get stronger. Give him three years, and he will be one of the best on tour."

Beyond the Masters both Molinaris are eyeing a Ryder Cup debut come October. European skipper Colin Montgomerie has said he would be delighted if one or both made his side.

"The Ryder Cup is every player's ambition," says Francesco, who scored three points at last year's Vivendi Trophy between the continental Europe and Great Britain & Ireland, including a 5-and-4 thumping of England's Oliver Wilson. "But it is far away. For now, I am focused only on playing well. If the results are good, the team will take care of itself. But it would be a great experience, especially if we both make it to Celtic Manor. That would be an easy pairing for Monty."

Should they both end up part of the European team, one thing the Molinaris won't be short of is head-to-head practice. On a weekly basis their practice rounds are filled with challenges and good-natured ribbing, particularly when it comes to distance off the tee.

"I have always encouraged a bit of sibling rivalry," says Pugh, who counts Montgomerie among his former pupils. "I like to see and hear them teasing each other on the course. They have a very strong relationship. They are very competitive but in just the way they should be. They are very much at ease in each other's company. But they don't live in each other's pockets."

Edoardo, who at 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, is three inches taller and about 10 pounds heavier than his brother, admits he likes to get under Francesco's skin. "When we are out together, there is a bit of rivalry and back-chat," he says. "We like to have fun with each other. He knows I am a little longer off the tee -- he is so straight and boring -- so any time he hits it half a yard past me, I hear about it. There is always plenty of that going on."

Things can get serious too. Neither brother will forget their third-round clash a few years ago in the 2002 Spanish Amateur. It was the first time they had gone up against each other outside Italy.

"He was 5 up after nine holes," recalls Francesco, through still-gritted teeth. "But I was 1 up on the 18th tee. Then I three-putted the final green to lose the hole. He eventually won at the 21st. It was a great match."

They are too. Opposites attracting and all that.