Italy’s Matteo Manassero will provide a glimpse of his precocious talent when the 16-year-old prodigy joins a star-studded field led by 60-year-old Tom Watson at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, starting at the Emirates Golf Club from February 1 to 7.
The story of the youngest and the oldest in the field by a considerable margin will certainly be one of the highlights of the $2.5 million tournament, being promoted and organised by golf in DUBAi.
The duo held the centre-stage when they played in tandem at the 2009 Open Championship where Watson produced incredible golf, eventually finishing runner-up to Stewart Cink after a tense playoff.
Manassero, a playing partner of Watson in the first two rounds, too emerged with flying colours when he received the silver medal for the leading amateur of the competition, thus becoming the youngest winner of the award since it was introduced 60 years ago.
The teenage sensation, who shot a brilliant 69 on the final day at Turnberry, to finish in a tie for the 13th position at two over and, more importantly returned home, richer in experience.
“I grew up a little bit playing with Tom Watson,” he said. “I tried to copy Tom Watson’s game of keeping the ball in play, but my putting was not so good,” added Manassero, who qualified to play in the world’s oldest championship after winning the British Amateur Championship.
The boy from Verona defeated England’s Sam Hutsby 4&3 in the 36-hole final to become the youngest player to win the Amateur Championship at 16 years and two months (62 days).
“I never imagined once that I could win this tournament; I’m shocked. It’s unbelievable!” said Manassero. “To be the first Italian, wow, that is something very special. I hope it helps with amateur golf there.”
Manassero, who topped the World Amateur Golf Rankings on December 2009, has no immediate plans to turn pro. “I want to finish my school first because my parents are very keen on it. I will turn professional when I finish school in another couple of years," said Manassero, who will be joined in the field by Rory McIlroy, the defending champion who turned pro when he was 18.
Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and CEO of ‘golf in DUBAi,’ said: “With the hugely-talented Matteo Manassero and Rory McIlory in the field, it will be interesting to see how the youngsters fare against veterans like Mark O’Meara, Tom Watson and Colin Montgomerie.
“I fully agree with Watson who once said, ‘Golf is a game for life, you are never too young to start and you are never too old to play.’ I am sure the presence of these old and young players in the field will not only spice up the competition, but will also motivate the aspiring golfers to learn a thing or two from their dedication to the game.”
'golf in DUBAi' is backed by Omega as the title sponsor and Dubal (Dubai Aluminium) as the sponsor while BMW, CNN International, Emirates Airline, Emirates NBD, Gulf News, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Jumeirah Hotels, MasterCard and wasl are co-sponsors in its drive to showcase the emirate's vibrant golfing scene to a worldwide audience.
