Nigeria Content Online

Teenage prodigy,
Matteo Manassero is expected to make his US Open debut next month and
he simply cannot wait to take on the famous Congressional Country Club
course in Bethesda, Maryland.

The 18-year-old
Italian is 33rd in the world rankings and needs to remain in the top 50
by the end of May in order to make certain of his place in the second
major of the year.

“I’m really looking
forward to playing one of the world’s most famous courses,” twice
European Tour winner Manassero told Reuters on the eve of the Spanish
Open.

“I don’t know
anything about the Congressional, except I know the rough will be long,
but tough courses suit my game and I’m excited about making my debut.”
The June 16-19 US Open will be held for the third time on the Blue
course at Congressional where South African Ernie Els won the most
recent edition in 1997.

Manassero became
the youngest winner on the European Tour when he lifted the Castello
Masters title in Spain last year, at the age of 17.

Europe’s 2010
Rookie of the Year then proved his maiden victory was no fluke by
landing the Malaysian Open crown in Kuala Lumpur last month.

While Manassero is
delighted to have won twice already in his fledgling career, the
teenager is also concerned about a possible backlash.

Lots to learn

“My wins have happened very soon which is nice because I can now go on and achieve more,” he said.

“(But) I do wonder if it has all come too soon because now everybody expects me to win when I still have a lot to learn.

“There will be bad times but I’m sure I’ll be able to handle it especially as I have a good team around me.”

Manassero,
competing this week for the first time since his Malaysian triumph, is
juggling the demands of the tour with trying to complete his formal
education.

“It’s not easy to
combine the two but I try,” he said. “I want to finish my studies, so I
travel with my books and do my exams.”

Manassero said that qualifying for next year’s Ryder Cup near Chicago was in his thoughts.

“The Ryder Cup is far away … (but) obviously it’s on my mind,” he explained.

“My present goal is
to make the top 10 in the Race to Dubai,” added Manassero who now holds
13th place on Europe’s money-list.

REUTERS