Matteo Manassero, the Italian young gun
Matteo Manassero , the 17-year-old Italian, is currently considered the hottest thing in golf. The lanky golfer is certainly going places after his sizzling victories over Charl Scwartzle and Steve Stricker in the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship that
concluded last week in Ritz Carlton Club Arizona. Born in Negrar, a Province of Verona, he is the youngest golfer to win the European tour. He became the youngest ever winner of the British Amateur Championship in 2009 when he defeated England’s Sam Hutsby
in the final. Manassero turned professional officially on 3 May, 2010. Before that he topped the world Amateur Rankings and remained on top for 18 weeks. He made his professional debut in the BMW Italian Open. His first professional win came in October 2010
in Castelló Masters Costa Azahar in Valencia, Spain, when he defeated Ignacio Garrido by four strokes, making him the youngest winner of the European tour. Manassero also startled the world when he subsequently secured a second position in UBS Hong Kong Open
the same year playing Ian Poulter in the final.
In his early days, Manassero, had to curtail his educational aspirations and did not follow his favourite subjects, history and math, to the university level, giving into his love for the game. He also dreams of emulating his greatest living inspiration,
Severiano Ballesteros.
"Seve was a true idol because he was different from the others," Manassero explained. "Now, I don't want to say they are all the same, but always the good players play a good game and hole putts. It is a different game now. Seve was playing another golf."
The recent outstanding performance of the young golfer in the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship has pushed up his ranking to the 53 rd spot in the World Rankings, despite being a professional for only 10 months. His winning spree in the recent Championship
was cut short by the eventual winner of the cup, Luke Donald. If Manassero had been able to take over Donald in the third round, he would have eventually secured a position in the top 50, claiming a spot in next week’s Cadillac Championship in Miami. Manassero
who has earned his first million Euros with his last week’s efforts, is all set to multiply them into many a million. His jubilant disposition certainly speaks of the fact that he is most certainly enjoying the ride, “It's great to be playing with the best
players in the world," he said. "It's something I am now getting used to. Everything has happened so quickly and everything I've done so far is above my expectations."
The fact that Donald beat him by 3 & 2, the same margin, he defeated the World Number One, Martin Kaymer, and also triumphed over Charley Hoffman, Matt Kuchar, and Ryan Moore, would certainly boast Manassero’s confidence.
Turning professional and being successful at the same time, at least for the starting years, is a different ball game. Rory Mcllroy enjoyed two enormously successful years upon turning professional, contrary to Justin Rose, who had to put in some hard work
to survive the initial crunch. Touring internationally and all alone can be overtly challenging for young players.
Manassero also attributes major part of his success to the friendship and guidance of his caddy and long-time coach Alberto Binaghi. “He has been like an uncle to me and very important not only this week but at the British Amateur," he said. "I have played
a lot of links courses because Alberto wants us to play a lot of links golf, into the wind. I am always getting more comfortable on these types of courses. I have a low trajectory, so I am comfortable."
As the young golfer quietly but surely maneuvers his way to the top rankings, it would be interesting to watch the player grow into a full blown top seed in the coming times.
Tags: