Castellon Masters defending champion, Matteo Manassero has defended his decision to sack Irish-born caddy, Ryan McGuigan.

Manassero’s two wins were with the Coleraine bagman including the Maybank Malaysian Open earlier this year.

Matteo Manassero now even more apart after sacking Irish caddy, Ryan McGuigan. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

However a downturn in form since missing the cut in the Open Championship prompted the 18-year old to release McGuigan.

Since Royal St. George’s Manassero has played in five with his best finish being 18th in the European Masters in Switzerland.

“It was very, very hard for me as Ryan has been with me from the beginning and we had two wins together and some great experiences together,” said Manassero.

“So this will be my first week without Ryan but sometimes you need to change as while I had a good summer of golf, the scores weren’t coming.

“The feelings I was taking onto the course were not going away so I will my coach, Alberto (Binaghi) on the bag for the next two weeks until I find someone else,”

Manassero’s coach and former Tour player, Alberto Binaghi will take over as caddy for the next two weeks while the Verona-born golfer looks for another full-time caddy.

One thing is certain that with earnings of Euro 1.5m since turning pro, it is going to be  a hotly sought after job.

McGuigan has a new bag and will start working with rookie Portstewart pro, Paul Cutler at next week’s Andalucia Masters. 

Cutler turned pro straight after being a member of the victorious GB & I Walker Cup team.