Sports personality of the year: Golfer Francesco Molinari named World Sport Star

View: Molinari is called BBC & # 39; s World Sport Star

Italian golfer Francesco Molinari has been named World Sport Star of the Year during the BBC's Sports Personality show.

The 36-year-old had a memorable 2018, especially the winning of the Open Championship in Carnoustie in July to secure his first big and become the first Italian to win the title.

In September he helped Europe with the Ryder Cup victory over the United States.

Molinari became the first European player to win all five matches.

He also won the PGA Championship in Wentworth in May.

Molinari continued to secure the European Tour & # 39; s Race to the Dubai title and earlier in December, he was called European Tour Golfer of the Year.

"It is unreal to be honest," Molinari said about his prize.

"I am very proud to be here tonight, are so many inspiring sporting stories, it gives us more motivation for next season."

Winner World Sport Star of the Year – Francesco Molinari

He won an online public vote to win the sports personality award by defeating three other nominees on the shortlist: American gymnast Simone Biles, Czech skier and snowboarder Ester Ledecka and Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk.

Molinari is the first Italian to win the World Sport Star of the Year award – formerly known as the BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year – and is the first golfer to win since Tiger Woods in 2000 .