Francesco Molinari insists he is not burnt out as absence from game continues

Former Open champion Francesco Molinari has moved to explain his absence from the game (Richard Sellers/PA)

Former Open champion Francesco Molinari has insisted he is not “burnt out” after his lengthy absence was extended to include this month’s US Open.

Despite the PGA Tour returning from the coronavirus shutdown in June and the European Tour in July, Molinari has not competed since the WGC-Mexico Championship in February, where he finished 53rd in a 72-man field after missing the cut in his previous three starts.