ITALIAN OPEN:MATTEO MANASSERO insists he is not putting pressure on himself to follow in the footsteps of Rory McIlroy and Ryo Ishikawa ahead of his professional debut on home soil today.
McIlroy turned 21 on Tuesday, two days after his stunning win at the Quail Hollow Championship, while Japan’s Ishikawa (18), carded an amazing final round of 58 to win in Japan on Sunday.
Manassero is younger still, having celebrated his 17th birthday on April 19th, and can also list some impressive achievements.
At 16 he became the youngest winner of the British Amateur Championship in 2009, shortly after he finished 13th in the British Open at Turnberry, and last month he came 36th at Augusta as the youngest player in Masters history.
Expectations are therefore high ahead of the Italian Open in Turin, which gets under way – weather permitting – today, but Manassero is keeping a level head.
“My goal is to try to win my card for next season from the seven invites I am allowed,” said Manassero, who has already received invitation to the Memorial Tournament on the US Tour and the European Tour’s flagship PGA Championship.
“I am thinking about winning, but there is no pressure on this. If the chance will come and I take it that would be a great moment, but I am in no rush.”
Manassero will play the first two rounds with Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, although yesterday’s pro-am was washed out after several days of rain and the immediate forecast is not too encouraging.
Meanwhile, Montgomerie has relaxed his stance on potential team members playing in three key British events before Europe meet the US in October.
Montgomerie had urged his players to make a special effort to compete at this month’s PGA Championship at Wentworth, the Wales Open at the Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor in June and the last points-counting event, the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles in August.
However, after the recent success of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and McIlroy in the US, Montgomerie is happy for his players to make their marks on the US tour.
Gareth Maybin, Michael Hoey, Gary Murphy, Darren Clarke and Simon Thornton are the only Irish players competing in Italy.
The lowdown
Course:Royal Park Club, Turin.
Length: 7,282 yards. Par: 72.
Prizemoney: €1.3 million (€216,660 for the winner).
Layout: Set in the Mondria Nature Park it has a spectacular Alpine backdrop. The 18th, a long par four last year, is now a 540-yard par five with a lake on the right. The course also boasts some long par fours on the back nine.
Field:156.
Defending champion:Daniel Vancsik won by six shots from, among others, John Daly.
On TV:Sky Sports. 10.30am today.
Weather forecast:Some rain expected.
