Matteo Manassero revealed a dramatic weight-loss program as pivotal in his record-setting BMW PGA Championship success.
Manassero, 20 became the youngest-ever winner of the European Tour’s flagship event defeating England’s and former event winner, Simon Khan with a par at the fourth extra play-off hole.
Matteo Manassero sheds 7 kilograms to lift fourth BMW PGA title. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)
But after letting slip victory at Wentworth two years ago, the Verona-born golfer shed seven kilograms over the off season to lift a fourth Race to Dubai victory.
“In that period off in which I was really doing the diet, I took all the carbohydrates off for five weeks, so it was just trying to slim down, and to do it quite quickly, we figured out that that was the best way, and then cardio training, because you cannot just lose it by not eating or eating less,” he said.
“Since I started, and I haven’t weighed myself in a month but I lost around seven kilos.
“I activated my metabolism a little bit more, but I’m not really concentrating on a certain diet, just normal things. I’m not really focused into that. It’s already a lot, golf, gym, practise. I like to eat, so you’ve got to treat yourself.”
Manassero’s victory has seen him jump to 28th on the World Rankings and with his success earning him automatic exemption into the June 13th commencing US Open and a third straight appearance in the year’s second Major in his short three-year professional career.
It means that the golfer, who still lives with his parents, has avoided a 36-hole US Open today (MON) at Walton Heath.
“That’s a bit of a relief to be honest, and to play 36 holes would have been hard, it would have been really hard,” he said.
“I was dropping in the World Ranking a little bit, so obviously I had to enter in the qualifier, and I was going to be happy to play.
“But it’s a big relief for me to be able to concentrate going into Sweden and the Nordea Masters this week, so I have changed my flight to a little earlier tomorrow and be there, be fresh and think about this week already.”
