We talk to Italian ace Matteo Manassero - the youngest ever player to make the cut at Augusta.
We talk to Italian ace Matteo Manassero - the youngest ever player to make the cut at Augusta and now hoping to shine there as a pro
Teenage superstar Matteo Manassero will finally turn twenty during The Masters next week.
He is the youngest-ever player to make the cut at Augusta, which he did three years ago as a 16-year old amateur.
Since then he has become the youngest-ever winner on the European Tour and the only teenager in history to win three European Tour titles.
We talked to him ahead of his first appearance as a professional at Augusta.
Sky Sports: The Masters is obviously the first major of the year, how do you prepare for such a big tournament like this?
MM: Usually I try not to do anything different from a regular Tour event, because I think it's important to remain in tournament rhythm, but for this upcoming Masters I will be. It's been three years since I've been there and I really want to be as prepared as I can. I have been practising hard recently at the tremendous golf courses and practice facilities in Abu Dhabi and this has really helped me with my confidence. I plan to arrive at Augusta on Thursday 4th April as I want to be comfortable with the surroundings come tournament week. Although the conditions won't be exactly the same as the week of the event, they'll be pretty close and it's important for me to be confident with the surroundings. It's the first time that I'll be competing there as a professional, so I want to get to the point on the opening day where I know exactly what I need to do. Of course, preparing for any of the majors naturally produces extra effort because you want to feel content. Especially on the greens, you don't want to have to think about pace any more than you have to at a place like Augusta!
Sky Sports: You made quite an impression on your debut in 2010, when as a 16 year-old amateur you became the youngest-ever player to make the 36-hole cut. Will you be able to draw on those experiences this time around?
MM: I think so. I obviously remember many things about the week - not just the course, but everything really. It's going to be very different this time around though because my game has changed. I've developed and now hit the ball a lot further. But still, I know what to expect in terms of the atmosphere and I think that is already a big advantage. After all I know what the event is all about and that will help.
Sky Sports: This year the Masters will welcome another golfing prodigy, 14 year-old Guan Tianlang from China. He will break your record as the youngest competitor in tournament history. Can you tell us a little about your experience as an amateur and staying at the famous Crow's Nest?
MM: The Crow's Nest sits right on the top of the clubhouse, which is very cool. You walk straight out onto the course. I didn't stay there every night, just a couple of times. In fact, only two of the six guys stayed there every night and the only time we were all together was after the Amateur's Dinner. The player that sticks out from my group was Ben An (Byeong-Hun An) who won the US Amateur. Nate Smith was there too, who is a very accomplished Mid-Am player and still plays in the Walker Cup for the USA. I don't really keep in touch with any of them though. Ultimately it was a great experience and whoever plays there as an amateur will really enjoy it.
Sky Sports: How does it feel teeing it up in an event like the Masters, not something many people get to do?!
MM: The Masters is my favourite major. Probably because I've watched it so many times and it gave me those special moments from 2010. It's definitely a mix of nervousness and excitement though. I mean, you're teeing it up in a major championship! I was really excited last time and remember laughing my way to the first tee. I played with Lee Westwood and Mike Weir, which was cool and helped me to relax because they are both such nice guys. There is no denying that you also feel a little tense. Depending on how the round develops, the nerves may die down, but they never really leave you in an event like that! Last time, at that age and on such a big stage, it never really left me at all but neither did the excitement and ultimately I handled it pretty well. It was a great experience. I still feel lucky and privileged to tee it up in events like this.
Sky Sports: How do you tackle the golf course itself, we've seen lots of different successful approaches over the years?
MM: You know, it's difficult to formulate a game plan before you actually get there. I'm not sure which lines I will take off the tee or what club, because like I say, my game has changed and I need to actually go there and see it before I can find the perfect strategy. But Augusta is the sort of place where you have to be really smart. You need to respect it! On the par-5's for example, even if you lay-up it's never easy to give yourself a realistic birdie putt. You do need to play well on the key holes and then whenever you get the chance try and make your birdie. It doesn't give up that many opportunities. When you're in trouble, you have to play for par. The key is to not give away too many shots and if you do that you'll do well. Sometimes my feel will be more important to me than my plan though. I'm a player that listens to his feelings and plays in the moment.
Sky Sports: Do you have a favourite golfer to play with on Tour?
MM: I really enjoy playing with Rory actually. He's such a good player and in my opinion has the best game on Tour, any Tour. Plus, he's a young guy and we've got a lot in common. I also really enjoy Rickie Fowler - he's got a great attitude and plays really fast. Other than that, it's fun to get out there with the other Italian guys. Francesco Molinari and I seem to play with each other quite a lot, but I love to play with any of them really.
Sky Sports: Who is the best player you've played with?
MM: Rory is the best player I've played with, but I've never had the opportunity to play with Tiger yet, so it's hard for me to compare. Rory has everything and is 100% in all aspects of the game!
Sky Sports: Best Swing?
MM: Again, Rory is up there, he has a really natural swing, but for me the best technically is Justin Rose. There are a lot of very good swings on Tour though. A couple that immediately spring to mind are Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen. I do work on the technical side of things and want to hit it longer than in previous years. It's great to see improvements when it comes off, but I'm conscious not to overdo it.
Sky Sports: What is your favourite club?MM: I would say the sand wedge. It's the club that I can be most creative with and manufacture shots out of. It's probably been my favourite since I was a young boy. I had a great chipping area at my home club and used to take two balls and play chipping matches against myself, pretending to be two different players!
Sky Sports: Who are your heroes and what have you learned from them that helps you perform well in big events, like The Masters?
MM: Seve was undoubtedly the biggest inspiration for me. I watched him as much as I could, which wasn't a lot unfortunately, but I used to watch a lot of tapes of him when I was growing up. He had so much personality and charisma. The way he played the game was completely different to anybody else and that's why I liked it - he was special and will always be my idol. I think it's important to try and learn from other players as well though. After all, I have the chance to play some great events with great players. I don't take specifics from them, because from one day to the next golfers can do something badly, then next day totally switch it around. So it's not a constant game. Having said that, I do listen to the older players, like Jim Furyk and Tom Watson. They have so much knowledge and experience.
Sky Sports: You're still very young, but what is the earliest golfing memory?
MM: The earliest golfing memories that I have is of the Italian Open when I was about six years of age. Watching that event is how I really got started in the game. Seve played, as did Bernard Langer, Jose Maria Olazabal and, of course, Costantino Rocca. But I watched everybody; they all looked amazing to me. I wanted to be just like them!
Sky Sports: How old were you when you first shot under-par?
MM: Around 13 years of age, I think. I played with kids that were older than me and it really helped develop competitiveness and higher standards. I started to travel to golf events around Italy when I was about 10, but all the kids I was competing against were around 14, so I was always the shortest hitter and had to develop a good short game in order to defend myself. That was an important part of my golfing life.
Sky Sports: Who would be in your dream four-ball?
MM: I would say, Marco Van Basten - I'm a huge AC Milan fan and he was my favourite player, I've actually met him before and he's a really nice guy. I'd also like to meet and play with Michael Jordan, who is a good golfer. I don't play much basketball, but I do like to watch it when I can. It has to be another sportsman to make up the team and I'll take Novak Djokovic. If it was just golfers that is much easier for me to decide - Seve, Ben Hogan and Tiger!
Sky Sports: Who is the best player not to win a major?
MM: Well, I would say for what he has done in the sport, probably Colin Montgomerie. Of those out on Tour right now that are still really competitive it's Lee Westwood. Recently he is been the most consistent player yet to win one.
Sky Sports: If you could only play one golf course for the rest of your life which one would it be?
MM: I love playing Yas Links in Abu Dhabi inbetween tournaments, but if it had to be one it would probably be TPC Sawgrass. Not for the views or anything, but it's such a nice course to play and a good test of golf. I may actually decide to play more PGA Tour events moving forward, but I want to see how my career progresses over the next 12 months, then make a decision. Right now, I am playing a Top 50 schedule, which means playing in all the WGC events and major championships, so I play quite a bit in the States anyway. Maybe in the future I'll play more, but I'm quite happy right with what I am doing right now.
Sky Sports: Do you set goals at the beginning of the season?
MM: Yes, definitely. One of them is to remain in the Top 50. I think if you stay there you have had a great season. Golf is so competitive that guys are going to win and improve their world ranking, significantly. Personally, I wouldn't set winning as a goal. I'm just trying to improve every year and have done a lot of physical work and technical work and that's really the most important thing, the preparation. The wins will happen as a product of that, so that's not a goal. But, I'm definitely hoping for it!
*** Matteo is an ambassador for 'Golf in Abu Dhabi'. You can learn more about 'Golf in Abu Dhabi' at www.golfinabudhabi.com
