For the first time since 2014, Matteo Manassero returns to the Top 100 of the world ranking, moving from 101st to 86th position. The fourth place in the BMW PGA Championship, in England, has allowed the Italian to return to the golf elite.
ADVERTISEMENT
The youngest to reach both the Top 40 (at 17 years old) and the Top 30 (at 18 he was in 25th position), he is now also fifth not only in the Race to Dubai, the order of merit of the DP World Tour, but in the European Team Rankings of the Ryder Cup.
And if the "card" to play in 2025 on the PGA Tour is now close, this year Manassero, in addition to the success in South Africa (Jonsson Workwear Open), has been the protagonist with seven Top 10s.
Matteo Manassero, results
From triumphs to falls and back.
Italy has found one of its most anticipated players, who in 2024, for the second time in his career, participated in the Olympics (from Rio de Janeiro 2016 to Paris). In 2020, after complicated years, he returned to win a professional event after more than seven years by establishing himself on the Alps Tour, the third European circuit, in Tuscany.
ADVERTISEMENT
In 2023 the turning point with two exploits on the Challenge Tour that allowed him to return to play on the DP World Tour. The rest is recent history. "It's incredible what he's done, his story is to be taken as an example", said Padraig Harrington, former captain of the Europe team in the Ryder Cup.
"His is a story worth telling. Being so young and at the same time such a phenomenon, then losing his way and ending up on the Alps Tour, then with strength and character returning among the greats. He's a balanced guy and I was impressed by his game", compliments to the Italian by Rory McIlroy.
"A lot of people should learn from him. He never gave up, even when things were going terribly," said Shane Lowry, another Major champion.
