Magnificent Matteo Manassero scoops Golfer of the Month accolade
Outstanding Italian teenager Matteo Manassero has been bestowed with the Golfer of the Month award for October, following his debut win on the European Tour last month.
The remarkable youngster held off the competition to win the Castelló Masters in Spain two weeks ago, finishing four strokes ahead of nearest rival Gary Boyd to become, at the age of 17 years and 188 days, the youngest winner on the European Tour - beating previous holder New Zealand's Danny Lee, who won at the age of 18 and 231 days.
The victory also meant that Manassero became the youngest player to earn full membership of the European Tour, replacing Manassero's idol Seve Ballesteros who qualified for a full tour card at the age of 17 years and 200 days in 1974.
For the barnstorming performance in Valencia, where the former British Amateur champion recorded scores in the 60s in all four rounds, Manassero takes an engraved alms dish as well as a magnum of Moët & Chandon champagne.
Said the young prodigy: "This is a huge, huge honour for me and I am very excited to have won the award. When I started to play golf back home in Italy I hoped I might one day win on The European Tour and so when I did it so quickly, it was a dream come true. To be recognised with this important award is very exciting.
"I am very happy to have been given such a great honour and especially so because there were so many players who played very well in October."
The player is currently contending in the WGC HSBC Champions in Shanghai, where he is tied for 18th place on three-under par after the second round.
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