Italy’s Matteo Manassero is just one round away from making his professional debut at the Masters after ending in a share of the lead when the third round of the Hassan II Trophy was completed here Sunday morning.
The 18-year old Manasssero, who confessed ‘he’s living a dream’ joined 74 other players resuming their third rounds at 7.45am local time on the Golf du Palasis Royal course in Agadir.
When poor light ended play on Saturday Manassero had moved to 11-under par after 15 holes and just one behind Ireland’s Damien McGrane who was at 12-under par after 10 holes.
Matteo Manassero with his back against the fortress walls of the Royal Palace as he seeks to qualify for next fortnight's Masters. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
However when play again got underway Manassero, who competed in the 2009 Masters as the British Amateur champion, birdied the 16th to move to 12-under par before parring his closing two holes in a round of 65.
McGrane, who had birdied the 10th when play was halted on Saturday, birdied the 11th to move to 13-under par and then went two clear of his rivals with a birdie at 15.
However the Irishman, seeking to end a four year winless drought and capture a second European Tour success, doubled the last in a score of 71.
Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara, who recommenced his round on the 11th hole at 11-under par, carded a 70 to remain on 11-under par and in third place.
Four players, Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey (65), England’s Matthew Baldwin (68), Welshman Phillip Price (72) and Sweden’s Joel Sjoholm (70), remain well place on 10-under par.
If Manassero is to qualify for next week’s Masters he must win the Euro 1.5m Hassan II Trophy that would put him back inside the top-50 when the cut off point for qualifying ends with the release of the updated World Rankings tomorrow (Monday).
“It was a very good round for me and I have to say that the extra prize of the Masters really helps me as well,” said Manassero ahead of the final round.
“It gives me extra motivation and I seem to play better in that kind of situation. I had a few months recently where I couldn’t get into contention but, after last week and now this week it feels great to be playing well and having chances to win.”
