Manassero comes full circle

Matteo Manassero is set to return to the course where he struck his first shot as a professional over a year ago.
Matteo Manassero is set to return to the course where he struck his first shot as a professional over a year ago.
Manassero will tee off in the BMW Italian Open at Royal Park near Turin on Thursday, the site of his professional debut a little over a year ago, as he prepares for an even bigger challenge the following week – his first US Open.
For the 18-year-old Italian, it’s been a period of 13 months since turning pro that could hardly have gone any better.
He’s moved from being ranked 570th in the world to 30th, earned nearly £1.5million in prize money in the process, and already has two European Tour wins to his name.
“My first full year as a professional has been more than I could ever have imagined,” Manassero told europeantour.com.
His next challenge is trying to become the second home winner of his national Open in six years after Francesco Molinari achieved the feat in 2006.
“I remember watching Francesco winning and feeling very excited as no Italian had won for a very long time (26 years),” recalled Manassero.
“We will both be trying very hard again and it would be fantastic to put my name on the trophy alongside Francesco’s.”
Francesco is the only Molinari brother in attendance this week, with Edoardo deciding to opt out of the event after playing in last week’s Memorial tournament in Ohio.
Colin Montgomerie is also in the field, and will be desperate for a change in fortunes after a horror nine days.
After seemingly regaining some lost form with a superb top-10 finish in the BMW PGA Championship at the challenging Wentworth course, the wheels well and truly started coming off for the Scotsman only 24 hours later, as he failed to qualify for the US Open.
He then shot 78 and 79 at Celtic Manor last week for a 15-over total that was his worst in Europe for over 20 years, and followed that up by once again failing to qualify for a major tournament – this time at Sunningdale for the Open Championship.
There are two Open spots up for grabs in the Italian Open this week as part of a current form mini-money list, and Montgomerie will be be going all out to not miss his first Open since 1990.
“I will be trying everything – as always,” he said.
Latest
-
News
Defiant Lee Westwood does not believe playing in LIV should harm Ryder Cup hopes
Westwood doesn’t agree with penalties and sanctions.
-
News
Shane Lowry welcomes closer ties between Tours in response to threat from LIV
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour announced the next phase of their strategic alliance.
-
News
Padraig Harrington fears LIV series poses threat to future of DP World Tour
The US Senior Open champion thinks there is only room for the PGA and one other tour in the world game.
-
News
Steve Stricker makes Padraig Harrington sweat as Irishman wins US Senior Open
The pair were rival captains in last year’s Ryder Cup in Wisconsin.
-
News
Golfers warned of further sanctions if they continue to play in LIV breakaway
The DP World Tour has issued fines of £100,000 and tournament bans to its members who played in the inaugural LIV Golf event earlier this month
-
European Tour
DP World Tour hits members who played inaugural LIV series with £100,000 fines
They have also been banned from several forthcoming tournaments including the Scottish Open.
-
News
Rory McIlroy not impressed as Brooks Koepka becomes latest big name to join LIV
The world number two labelled the players who have joined the new series as “duplicitous” for the way they have handled their breakaway.
-
The Open
R&A confirms LIV Golf Series players will be allowed to compete at Open
The 150th Open Championship will get underway at St Andrews in three weeks’ time.
-
US Open
Matt Fitzpatrick turns to other major winners for advice on dealing with fame
Fitzpatrick won the US Open on Sunday.
-
News
Brooks Koepka set to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series
Koepka’s brother Chase played in the opening event at Centurion Club earlier this month.