And that anticipation grew that little bit more last week when he beat Robert Karlsson and Robert Garrigus in a three-way play-off for his first US Tour title in 12 years - even if his victory was heavily aided by Garrigus's triple-bogey on the par-four 18th when the American needed only a six to win.
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Swedes Robert Karlsson and Johan Edfors, plaus Frenchman Julien Guerrier, winner of the British Amateur championship, will also make their debut.
Robert Karlsson and Paul Broadhurst, who finished first and second in the Wales Open at the weekend, could not maintain their form.
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Robert Karlsson won the event after a dramatic play-off with Ian Poulter.
Robert Karlsson, Harris English and Ted Potter Jr. shot 64, and two-time major champion Angel Cabrera, Ryan Palmer and Camilo Villegas were at 65.
He ended up playing four matches but only managed a half with Robert Karlsson in the day one foursomes contest against Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim.
Ryder Cup player Robert Karlsson, the world number 21, who is the highest-ranked player in the field, finished in a share of 69th after a 72.
Meanwhile, last season's European Tour number one Robert Karlsson , who has been out of action since May, will not be returning for at least two more weeks.
The Scot birdied three of the last six holes to card a closing 69 and force a play-off with Sweden's Robert Karlsson as they both finished on 10-under par.
In-form South African Louis Oosthuizen, European number one Robert Karlsson, Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Frenchman Gregory Havret are a shot further back on six-under after playing a handful of holes.
Molinari moved into contention by producing three successive birdies from the 15th while first-round Robert Karlsson moved back into contention by firing a 67 which moved him to nine under alongside Westwood.
Spain's Sergio Garcia showed some signs of a return to form with a 70 to also finish four under alongside Ireland's Shane Lowry, Swede Robert Karlsson, South Korean amateur Jin Jeong and American JB Holmes.
Dane Thomas Bjorn is in a group two shots behind Storm after a 64 that stood as the course record until Swede Robert Karlsson posted a 63 later in the day to join the group one behind Storm.
The only bright spots for Europe were the wins for Robert Karlsson, Justin Rose, debutant Graeme McDowell and impressive wildcard pick Ian Poulter, who justified his selection by ending up as the event's leading scorer with four points from five matches.
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