Matteo Manassero

Matteo Manassero (born 19 April 1993) is an Italian professional golfer who plays on the European Tour. He is the youngest golfer to win a European Tour event.

Life and career

Manassero was born in Negrar, in the Province of Verona. After a short period at the Villafranca Golf Club, Manassero learned the game at the Gardagolf Country Club in Soiano del Lago following the lessons of the club pro Franco Maestroni. Manassero is currently the touring pro of Gardagolf.

In 2009, at the age of 16, he became the youngest ever winner of the British Amateur Championship, defeating England's Sam Hutsby in the final. The win qualified him for the 2009 Open Championship, where, playing alongside Tom Watson and Sergio García in the first two rounds, he made the cut and won the Silver Medal as leading amateur. He eventually finished tied for 13th place.

Manassero topped the World Amateur Golf Rankings on 30 December 2009 and remained number 1 for 18 weeks, until he was removed from the rankings upon turning professional.