Molinari played with back injury during record-setting Ryder Cup

Francesco Molinari revealed he battled through a back injury during his undefeated showing at the Ryder Cup, an added wrinkle to his already remarkable performance in Paris.

“I started to feel it on the Saturday morning at the Ryder Cup,” Molinari told ESPN at the British Masters this week. “It’s because of having a really long summer and not having much rest between Atlanta (the Tour Championship) and the start of the Ryder Cup, and it was just getting tired.”

Molinari's effort carried the European squad to victory after going a perfect 5-0 in the competition and clinching the winning point. He did not disclose the injury to captain Thomas Bjorn.

"I didn't tell Thomas," Molinari added. "At that stage, it wasn’t enough to really compromise my golf. So I just started taking some anti-inflammatories. It’s a week that you’re sort of pumped up with adrenaline, anyway, that you could probably play on one leg.”

He also admitted that he wasn't able to tie his own shoes on the Monday following the Ryder Cup.

The Italian became only the second player in the event's current format to win five points for his respective side. Four of his points were earned alongside Englishman Tommy Fleetwood.