Keep an eye on this guy for the future

[IrishGolfer]

Matteo Manassero has become the youngest winner on the European Tour thanks to his victory at the Castellon Masters in Spain.

Manassero, 17 years and 188 days old, is a year and 25 days younger than previous record holder Danny Lee, from New Zealand, who clinched the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic in Australia as an amateur.

His four-shot victory with a 16-under par tally earned the Italian a two-year Tour exemption in just his 10th full Tour event since turning pro in May's BMW Italian Open.

He won the British Amateur in 2009, onwards and upwards.

 

[wirehair]

Didn't you post a couple of years ago & tell us to look for a kid named Rory McIlroy?

 

[IrishGolfer]

That was me, Mr. Talent Spotter! Seriously though, this kid looks like the next Seve. Very impressive indeed.

 

[BigJim13]

Didn't this kid play in the Masters at a super young age, like 16 or something? I seem to remember a really young Euro kid who played in the Masters recently and really did well, held his own!

 

[IrishGolfer]

Yip Jim, that was him. The future looks bright for Italain golf right now. This dude and the Molinari brothers. Backed by plenty more coming through on the amateur scene. Could we see an Italian Major champ in next few years?

 

[beermug]

people start playing golf at a younger age and with golfs popularity at a low point it is good to know that future stars are making a name for themselves on the links that could one day parley onto the pga tour

 

[TheTrueReview]

From memory, this kid was getting press at the Masters or US Open this year. 17 years of age? Sheesh!! Great to see him win and in Sergio's backyard.

It wasn't so long ago that Sergio was the 'next big thing' and tipped to win multiple majors. Perhaps Sergio is on his way to becoming 'the next bad thing'. Taking a sabbatical this year due to bad form (at his age) isn't a good sign.

 

[Augster]

Is it too early to predict that Italy wins the Gold in the Olympics in 2016?

6 years from now this kid will be 23. Yikes.

Both Molinari's and Manassero sounds like the foundation for a very tough Olympic team. Not to mention the next two Ryder Cups.