Premier League icon Gianfranco Zola to drive Ryder Cup star’s buggy in shock career switch

Chelsea and Italy legend Gianfranco Zola will be Team Europe vice-captain Francesco Molinari’s designated buggy driver during the Ryder Cup in New York this week

Gianfranco Zola will tackle an unusual role at Bethpage this week – with the Chelsea legend agreeing to serve as Francesco Molinari’s designated buggy driver during the Ryder Cup.

Zola, 57, was quickly spotted by eagle-eyed fans in the front row of a full player and support team photograph ahead of the Ryder Cup, which starts on Friday in New York. And it has now emerged that the legendary Italian footballer will be behind the wheel rather than in the penalty box to help Europe’s vice-captain.

Golf Digest have confirmed that Zola will be the designated buggy driver for Molinari, who struck up a friendship with his compatriot during his time at the helm of West Ham. Molinari is a Hammers fan and started following the east London outfit after moving to England in 2009.

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Zola spent almost two years as the club’s manager after calling time on his legendary playing career. Unfortunately for one of the Premier League’s all-time greats, his spell in charge of West Ham ended on a sour note when he was dismissed after finishing fourth from bottom in the 2009-10 campaign, narrowly avoiding relegation.

Although Zola made his name as a footballer, he is no stranger to the world of golf; he has played in a number of pro-ams on the DP World Tour, while he teed up with a number of other former Premier League stars as part of the opening of the new golf course at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeen.

Molinari will serve as deputy to Team Europe’s captain, Luke Donald, in New York this week. “Luke is a very smart, switched on individual. It’s been great to see at first-hand how much he is putting into being the captain,” Molinari said back in July when it was confirmed he would be one of the 47-year-old’s Team Europe deputies. “He did the same two years ago and he’s doing it now. He leads by example so that passion trickles down to the players.

“It is going to be a big challenge at Bethpage. Everyone will give their best and I am very happy to be able to give my contribution to the team.”

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