There will be a three-pronged Italian attack at Wentworth next month, with Matteo Manassero joining the Molinari brothers as the trio look to emulate their fellow countryman Costantino Rocca in winning the PGA Championship. Wonderboy Manassero will perhaps be the most in-form player of the three after picking up his second professional win, taking the Malaysian Open in stunning fashion last month. The victory was the second of Manassero’s short career so far, adding to his Castello Masters crown from last year, and came days before his 18th birthday.
In the aftermath of his Malaysian triumph, Manassero has been quick to heap the praise on his fellow countrymen Edoardo and Francesco Molinari, admitting practicing with the brothers has had a massive impact on his game. The teen prodigy also expressed his eagerness to match Rocca’s success at Wentworth and in doing so become only the second Italian to win the event. Those following the open betting should keep an eye on his efforts to see if he has a chance of landing a major this year.
“It’s very good to have two top players in the world, and Ryder Cup players, that are close to you and come from the same country,” he said.
“It would be a great honour to follow Costantino as the second Italian to win the BMW PGA Championship. I was only three when he won so I don’t remember it but I have seen his victory on video and know how important it was.”
There could well be a very decent case to say that between the three Italians, there could well be a winner amongst them.