Simply two days after capturing a career-best 61, Matteo Manassero celebrated what he tabbed “the perfect day of my life on the golf course.”
The 30-year-old Italian shot a final-round 66 at Glendower Golf Membership on Sunday to win the Jonsson Workwear Open in Johannesburg, South Africa. His three-shot win over a trio of gamers marked Manassero’s first victory on the DP World Tour in 11 years.
“It has been a loopy journey, however in the previous couple of years I knew I used to be getting again on monitor,” Manassero mentioned. “Golf is such a troublesome recreation. I’m simply so joyful to be right here now. I performed effectively at present, however the guys behind had been taking part in some unimaginable golf and each time I regarded on the leaderboard it was a brand new title with extra birdies.”
Born close to Verona, Manassero began taking part in golf at age three with a set of plastic golf equipment. At 16, he grew to become the youngest winner of the British Novice Championship in 2009 earlier than taking the silver medal for low beginner within the 2009 British Open Championship. Manassero nonetheless holds the file because the youngest-ever winner on the DP World Tour at 17 years, 188 days in 2010 (Castello Masters Costa Azahar in Spain), however he had recorded solely seven top-10 finishes since profitable the 2013 BMW PGA Championship, the tour’s flagship occasion and his fourth profession title.
Manassero climbed as excessive as twenty fifth within the Official World Golf Rating earlier than chasing distance positive factors and shedding management of his swing. Because the frustration mounted, he even stop taking part in for a quick stretch 5 years in the past, and entered the week ranked No. 381. Manassero received twice on the Problem Tour final season to regain his DP Tour privileges for the primary time in 5 years.
Manassero shot 26-under par to edge Shaun Norris (68), Thriston Lawrence (63) and Jordan Smith (68), who shared second.
After a protracted and winding street, the can’t-miss child who missed has discovered his means again to the winner’s circle.
With renewed confidence, is at present the day Matteo Manassero returns to the winner’s circle on the DP World Tour? 🎥#JonssonWorkwearOpen pic.twitter.com/7rLGVslIpb
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 10, 2024
