Matteo Manassero, the hot new thing in golf
The hot new thing in golf is definitely the young and fresh Italian Matteo Manassero. Just recently, he won the Castello Masters and became the youngest player to win ever on the European Tour.
Previously it was New Zealand's Danny Lee, who won the Johnny Walker Classic when he was only eighteen. With the Molinari brothers being the faces of Italian Golf, Matteo has struck hard to remind the World that he’s there as well.
The 17-year old Italian became known Worldwide when a four shot victory sky-rocketed him from 164th to 88th position in the World. Last year, he was also the youngest player to ever win the British amateur open.
As compared to other players, Manassero decided to turn professional very early. He hadn’t even turned seventeen yet when he made the decision. When his classmates were managing high school, Matteo was starting to embark on a whole new journey. The player
never was and is not short of confidence, which is a crucial element to be successful in professional sports.
Right after turning pro, he made his debut at the BMW Italian Open. During his amateur years, he just made the cut at the Masters and took the silver cup home. Still a sophomore in high school, the player had planned to finish the remaining two years of
school on the internet. However, the way he performed at Augusta National, Manassero appeared more than ready to be a pro player.
As soon as he turned pro, he accepted offers to participate in many European Tour Events. This surely allowed him to earn sufficient money to make sure he has his playing card for next year. Lucky for him, Manassero will get the confirmation without even
having to attend Q school.
As for his history making victory this week, Manassero posted a 67 Ignatio Garrido by four shots and win the Castello Masters. Manassero was really amazed at how quickly he managed to earn his first European tour title. Finishing third place at the Omega
European Masters last month, he is happy that his 2011 card is secure.
The Italian youngster halved the overnight leader Gary Boyd’s advantage to one by halfway but three back to back birdies put the roaring Italian ahead of the pack. Also a rookie, Boyd didn’t do so well he dropped four shots in the space of three holes. It
appeared as if Gary handed the victory to Matteo.
The only strong person in competition was the Spaniard Ignatio, who became really active as he posted three late birdies. However, even such great performance wasn’t good enough to compete with Matteo’s winning round of 67.
"I always worked hard for this moment and now I've finally done it's an unbelievable moment", said Manassero. The birdies on the back nine really turned things around for the seventeen year old.
"That was the turning point as well as the birdie on 13. I was very nervous. On the beginning I was nervous and then I was a bit more relaxed and then I was very nervous again at the end”, said Matteo.
Manassero started his year as 570th. From 570th to 164th, that is quite some progress for the newbie. After the Castello Masters, German Martin Kaymer has moved to a career high third. On Sunday, it will be either him or
Lee Westwood, who will finish Tiger Wood’s 282 week reign as golf’s top cat. Tiger Woods will not be seen on the course until the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in China.
With the way he is going, there is a lot of talk about Manassero being on the 2010 Ryder Cup team. Sky bet are offering ½ for him to win on the European Tour 2011. The bet on him being in the Ryder team has been cut to 5/4. Those look like some pretty good
chances for someone, who just turned professional a year ago. With the confidence and energy Manassero brings, his presence on the Ryder Cup Team 2012 can surely mean good news.
Tags: