Molinari supports shorts decision in Open practice rounds

The victory of Francesco Molinari over Carnoustie was his first major

Open champion Francesco Molinari supported the decision to let players wear shorts in practice rounds during the event in Royal Portrush.

The move of the R & A follows the blistering circumstances at Carnoustie in last year's championship, won by the Italian.

The PGA Tour in America made a similar decision earlier this year.

"I don't understand why not to be honest. People play in shorts all over the world," said the 36-year-old Ryder Cup player.

Despite experiencing wet and windy weather in Portrush in the 2012 Irish Open, Molinari is not convinced that he will need his shorts in Northern Ireland.

"It may not be a priority in Portrush," he joked during a teleconference one day for media application at this year's Open location.

Competitors in final qualifying will also be able to take advantage of the age of the new shorts rule, while the R & A says it is not excluded that the dress code will be relaxed on extremely hot days at future championships.

While admitting that he won The Open, he achieved his "career dream", "Molinari says, continuing to make enormous efforts to improve.

Molinari started the final round three shots behind the leaders of the day during the Open of last year

His victory over this year's Invitational, Arnold Palmer, thanks to a closing eight-round, was proof of his determination to meet the stay top.

"I have achieved my dream, which won The Open last year," he continued. "Another dream was to be one of the best players in the Ryder Cup and to help Europe win back the trophy.

" I am at the stage where I have achieved my dreams and what has happened happening now is going to be a bonus. [But] I'm still looking forward to it. I just want to win more. I was able to taste it last year and it was great.

"This winter I worked as hard as I ever did. You can see how I play, I have not settled, I The goal is to keep improving and I do not feel that I I have reached my limit. "

After winning sensationally last month at Bay Hill, Molinari is optimistic about improving his best. previous finish in next week's Masters in Augusta, which was a share of the 19th in 2012.

"The short game and the putting are the two things that dropped me there in the past," added Molinari toe

"Of course, because of the greens over there, that is one of the biggest challenges, but hopefully I will get better and better this year."