"Phenomenon", "prodigy", "a spectacular player", "the new one who advances": Matteo Manassero ignites the imagination of golf commentators, because, one week after his most important victory, he is once again at the top of a tournament , the Nordea Masters in Stockholm, with an impressive result: -13 in 36 holes. Francesco Molinari's performance was also excellent, eighth with -7.
Calm, great fairplay, precise with the drive, devastating with the irons, perfect on the greens, Manassero suddenly seems invincible, a true super hero, a bit like Rory McIloroy a year ago. It's too early to claim victory, there are still 36 holes ahead, plenty of golf and an uncertain climate, with rain and wind that can change the conditions of the course. In the firmament of golf, however, a star has lit up and his light seems destined to last a long time. All the world's media speak of the twenty-year-old Italian with admiration and interest.
The registry statistic is the one we like the most: 3 tournaments won as a teenager, 4 in 3 years on the tour, the youngest winner of the BMW PGA Championship, the youngest winner on the European Tour, not to mention the records set as an amateur, because good morning starts in the morning. Two playoff wins out of two played, one of which against a star player and Major winner like Louis Oosthuizen. These are results that give a golfer a lot of confidence and that are deposited within him as a precious heritage to draw on in times of difficulty. Comparisons that tell Matteo's character, his ability to keep emotions at bay, to give his best when he is under pressure, like all true champions. Right now he's on the ball and physically fit, but what matters to him, even in golf, is his head and it works great.
In the predictions he is already among the eligible candidates for the podium at the US Open. The course of the Merion Golf Club adapts perfectly to its characteristics: it is not too long, it requires a precise game and steady nerves on the greens. Manassero's putt hits the target at the moment: six birdies in the first six holes played on the first day at the Nordea Masters, 8 birdies and a bogey yesterday prove that the Veronese puts the ball in the auction, but also in the hole. As dad Woods used to say, you have to teach kids to play golf “from the green to the tee” and, as far as Tiger is concerned, you can see the results. Today you can also taste those of "Manasso" and we are only at the beginning of a career.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ocean, the Memorial Tournament continues in Ohio, in Muirifield, in Jack Nicklaus' golf club. Last year Tiger won, but in this edition the champion is unable to take off. A modest +1 is the result on 36 holes, close to the cut (fixed at +3) with great fear of the TVs. In the middle of the table, Tiger is in good company, paired with many big players such as Keegan Bradley and Fred Couples. In the lead is Bill Haas at -9.
Yet another disappointing performance and risk of cutting for Rory McIlory, who can't find the start this season. The first round was very heavy in 78 strokes, so much so that Nicklaus, fearful of losing one of the stars of the tournament, tried to give him some advice on the swing. There are probably a thousand technical reasons that explain this crisis, perhaps some are also psychological. Maybe Rory is full of satisfactions, or he's a little weighed down by the mountain of dollars that Nike has invested in him, maybe he can't handle the excessive amount of expectations at every appearance of him anymore. The tour, however, misses the huge talent of him and a rival at the height of Tiger. Everyone is hoping for a sudden awakening, perhaps at the Major which arrives in two weeks.
