Matteo Manassero becomes youngest player to win on European Tour
It seems like Matteo Manassero just keeps on breaking records.
In 2009, at the age of 16, the young Italian became the youngest winner of the British Amateur Championship, defeating Sam Hutsby in the final.
At the 2009 British Open, he became the youngest player to claim the silver medal for low amateur at the tournament, eventually finishing a respectable T13.
“He has a passion for the game,” said five-time British Open champion Tom Watson at the time. “That's what I look for in a young golfer. Technique can be added if necessary but if they
don't have that passion then I am concerned. Matteo has it."
This past April, on the eve of his 17th birthday, Manassero became the youngest player to make the cut at the Masters, eventually finishing T36. He bested the previous record, held by
Bobby Cole since 1967, by almost two years.
And just yesterday, Manassero broke yet another record, becoming the youngest winner in European Tour history after capturing the Castello Masters at the Club de Campo del Mediterraneo,
shooting a four-under 67 on Sunday for a four-stroke victory.
Manassero, born in the Italian province of Verona, finished the event at 16-under, four shots ahead of Ignacio Garrido of Spain, who finished alone in second-place.
The Netherland’s Joost Luiten, Ireland’s Peter Lawrie, England’s Gary Boyd, and Sweden’s Christian Nilsson, all finished five shots back at 11-under for the tournament.
Manassero, who won yesterday’s event at the age of 17 years and 188 days, bested the previous record held by Danny Lee of New Zealand, by more than a year.
“It’s incredible,” he said. “I made it! It’s a very, very special win. I still can’t believe it. It’s a dream. Winning was on my mind, of course, but not so soon. It’s an incredible feeling.
My results this year are well above my expectations. I never dreamt of winning on tour so soon.”
Manassero is currently the youngest member of the European Tour, turning professional about two weeks after his 17th birthday. Comparisons have already been made between him and another
fiery player, Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros. Ballesteros had previously been the youngest ever player on tour, but Manassero eclipsed his record by 12 days.
“Seve has always been my idol,” said Manassero. “I will try to follow his career, one of the best in golfing history.”
And while the young Italian plays like a wily veteran on the course, he reminded everyone of his age in the press room after his stunning victory.
“I am too young to have a drink, I am too young to drive, so I will not be buying a car and I have not got a girlfriend who would like a present,” said Manassero, who earned $460,000 for
the victory.
“But this was my first chance to win a tournament, which I never thought would come so quickly and to do it is unbelievable.”
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