Italy’s Matteo Manasssero has been informed to be on standby for this week’s lucrative Volvo World Match-Play Championship in Spain.
Manassero will be present at the Finca Corstesin course near Estepona in Spain as first reserve for the Euro 2.75m tournament.
Matteo Manassero called up as first reserve for Volvo World Match-Play Championship. (Photo - Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ie)
And while the 19-year old Italian would not wish any of 24 players to withdraw his appearance in the elite event would cement his place in next month’s U.S. Open championship.
Manassero is currently ranked equal 60th in the world and needs to be inside the top-60 on May 20th to be assured of teeing up in the June 14th commencing Major at the Olympic Club in San Francisco.
However as Manassero did not compete this week he could well drop outside the top-60 when the World Rankings are readjusted tomorrow morning (MON).
Organisers overlooked Manassero for England’s Paul Casey who earlier last week was afforded an invitation in Spain.
Casey is a former World Match-Play champion having humbled American Shaun Micheel 10 & 8 in 2006 at Wentworth in England.
The 34-year old Casey will out to impress European Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal and boost his chances of qualifying automatically for the European Team after being overlooked two years ago for a ‘wildcard’ pick by then captain, Colin Montgomerie.
“I am very grateful to Volvo for giving me this invitation as I would have hated to miss out on what is one of my favourite events of the year,” said Casey.
“Having been injured at the start of the season, I am beginning to get a little more tournament tough and the match-play format will suit me very well.
“Of course, being a Ryder Cup year, this great Championship is even more significant and we will be all out to impress our Captain in very match.”
Casey is currently ranked 25th on the Ryder Cup points table while his current No. 50 world ranking ensures he will contest the three remaining Majors of the year.
The full field for Thursday’s starting event is:
Thomas Björn (DEN), Rafael Cabrera-Bello (ESP), Paul Casey (ENG), Darren Clarke (N IRE), Nicolas Colsaerts (BEL), Richard Finch (ENG), Sergio García (ESP), Branden Grace (RSA), Retief Goosen (RSA), Peter Hanson (SWE), Tetsuji Hiratsuka (JPN), Martin Kaymer (GER), Jbe Kruger (RSA), Paul Lawrie (SCO), Tom Lewis (ENG), Graeme McDowell (N IRE), Ian Poulter (ENG), Alvaro Quirós (ESP), Robert Rock (ENG), Justin Rose (ENG), Charl Schwartzel (RSA), John Senden (AUS), Brandt Snedeker (USA) and Camilo Villegas (COL).
