Italian sensation Matteo Manassero has confirmed he’s swapping one Irish born caddy for another and will have the seasoned Dave McNeilly on the bag for the remainder of the year.

McNeilly was approached by Matteo’s IMG manager and the Belfast bagman jumped at the chance to caddy for the 18-year old.

Manassero sacked his first and then only caddy, Coleraine-born Ryan McGuigan after a run of poor form since The Open, and this despite making the cut in his last five events.

His coach, Alberto Binaghi is caddying for Manassero for this week’s Castellon Masters and also this week’s Andalucia Masters at Valderrama.

McNeilly, who has previously caddied for Padraig Harrington and more recently, England’s Chris Wood, will begin working with Manassero at next week’s $US 7m WGC – HSBC Champions event.

Manassero is then contesting the UBS Hong Kong Open (Dec 1-4), the Dubai World Championship (Dec 8-11) and then ending his first full season in the pro ranks with a first-ever visit to Australia for the Australian Masters (Dec 15-18).

The Verona-born Manassero, who still has a full year of high schooling ahead of him, has won more than Euro 2.5m in his short pro career and also still lives at home with mum and dad.

If Manassero’s new arrangement works out then McNeilly could be full time next year with the current World No. 44.

“I know Dave is a very good caddy and if the four weeks we work together starting with Shanghai go well then we will work together next year,” said Manassero.

And when McNeilly was quizzed how good is his Italian, the popular Ulsterman remarked:  “Bellisimo!”