Young Italian sensation Matteo Manasssero took a huge step to making his professional debut at next month’s Masters with a course record equalling 64 on the opening day of the Andalucian Open.
The 18-year old Manassero birdied his closing two holes in a round that included nine birdies and just one bogey in ideal scoring conditions on the hilly Aloha course near Puerto Banus on Spain’s Costa del Sol.
‘Manny’s’ round was his lowest to par with his best scoring being a 62 he recorded on the final day to finish joint runner-up in the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open, and two days after he had recorded a second round 63 on the Fanling course.
Matteo Manassero looks anxiously at a shot on route to a course record equalling 64. (Photo - Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)
“It was a very good round and I played very solid as I didn’t miss much and a round where I made about 90% of my birdie chances I had and that was the key,” he said.
“So I am really happy as everything went very well for me today with just one bogey at my 16th.
“I liked this course the first time I saw it as it suits my game as strategy is very important and it’s a course where I only used the driver four times.”
Manessero also recorded just 24 putts to match the score England’s Lee Westwood recorded in the second round on route to victory in the 2007 event.
The Verona golfer arrived in Spain currently placed 63rd on the World Rankings and needing to be inside the top-50 at the end of competition on April 1st to be assured of returning to Augusta National for just a second occasion since making his debut as an amateur in 2010 as the reigning British Amateur champion.
“It would be an amazing achievement to qualify for the Masters but I think I have to win here in Spain or Morocco or finish maybe second,” he said.
“But while I would love to be playing in the Masters I wouldn’t say it is important I play there, but it would be very nice.
“I still have plenty years ahead of me but having been there once before, of course I want to go back.”
South African Henni Otto and Spaniard Eduardo de la Riva were next best with scores of five under par 67s as the afternoon half of the field took to the course.
Tournament host, Miguel Angel Jimenez who played alongside Manassero, recorded a three under par 69.
