Matteo Manassero's focus rests on further victories, not records
Matteo Manassero won his first European Tour event on Sunday at the Castelló Masters, in the process becoming the youngest winner in the history of the Tour - and the Italian isn't dwelling on that record-breaking win.
Manassero didn't seem overly excited at accomplishing the feat of replacing Danny Lee as the youngest victor on the European Tour, telling Sky Sports: "I'm not really thinking about this [record] at the moment, I'm still thinking about the European Tour win that I achieved," though he admitted: "I will probably think about the record in the future."
Instead the 17-year-old, who has drawn comparisons with Spanish great Seve Ballesteros, is aiming for more victories. "I want to win more events. A major or a Ryder Cup is obviously the biggest dream a golfer can get," Manassero said.
The odds compilers certainly rate Manassero as a likely candidate for a Ryder Cup appearance in 2014, some bookmakers slashing the odds on the Italian making an appearance. And Manassero is pleased to be earning comparisons with Ballesteros.
"Seve Ballesteros has always been my idol. His personality and what he has done for golf and the tournaments that he won and they way he won them was different to other golfers," Manassero said.
Not that the young gentleman from Verona isn't doing things his own way. Manassero first came to prominence in 2009, when as a 16-year-old he became the youngest player - and the first Italian - to win the British Amateur Championship.
Last year Manassero was the highest placed amateur at the Open, and he continued his impressive run in April of this year, where he was the youngest player to contest the Masters. Not content with making up the numbers, Manassero also made the cut, eventually finishing in 36th place - the best performance by a European amateur for 73 years.
Since his victory in Spain this past weekend, the lad has shot up in the world rankings from 164th in the world to 88th. Manassero had begun 2010 as 570th.
The win in Spain has drawn the player attention from around the world, and Manassero is already seeking to seize upon his newfound appeal. Manassero hopes to appear at next week's WGC - HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
Of course, securing a visa for travel to China at such short notice may be beyond even Manassero's powers. But even if a Shanghai surprise isn't on the cards next week, you don't need a fortune cookie to figure out that this teenager is going places.
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