Masters champion
Tiger Woods and seven more spectacular sporting comebacks
In 1949 the American golfer Ben Hogan, who had already won three major titles, was at the wheel of his Cadillac alongside his wife when they hit a bus head-on.
Woods and Molinari, who were paired together in the final round of last year’s British Open won by the Italian, will once again be in the last group.
It has been an almost flawless Masters for Molinari, who has carded just a single bogey through three rounds.
Here's how golfers celebrate a breakthrough victory with their fellow professionals
Four-times champion Woods only decided last week to compete at Augusta National.
Sub-par driving during a final round at the Masters undermined the title bids by the Americans.
Woods has not missed the event since his debut at Augusta National as an amateur in 1995.
The US needed a par on the final hole to retain the overall lead on the first day.
Rafa Nadal and Maria Sharapova continue on their road to defend their French Open titles.