Matteo Manassero Bio
Matteo Manassero is an Italian professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. Born on 19 April 1993 in Negrar, Italy, he is widely recognized for becoming the youngest golfer ever to win a European Tour event, a record he set in 2010. Standing 1.83 meters tall and weighing 79 kilograms, Manassero has built a career defined by historic milestones, including his celebrated victory at the 2013 BMW PGA Championship. He resides in Verona, Italy, and remains one of Italy’s most prominent figures in international golf.
Over the course of his professional journey, Manassero has competed across the European Tour, the Asian Tour, the Sunshine Tour, the Challenge Tour, and the Alps Tour. He has recorded eight professional wins, with five of those coming on the European Tour. His career has featured both early triumphs and a long road back to form, making his story one of resilience and enduring talent.
Early Life and Background
Matteo Manassero was born on 19 April 1993 in Negrar, a small town located in the Province of Verona in northern Italy. He grew up in a region with deep sporting traditions, and from a young age he showed an aptitude for precision-based sports. After a short period at the Villafranca Golf Club, he began learning the game more seriously at the Gardagolf Country Club in Soiano del Lago, where he trained under club professional Franco Maestroni. Gardagolf remains closely tied to Manassero, as he continues to serve as its touring professional.
Manassero’s early development in golf was remarkably fast. By his mid-teens, he was already competing against the best amateur players in the world. His training under Maestroni helped him develop a calm, methodical approach to the game, one that has remained a hallmark of his career. His upbringing in the Verona area, combined with the influence of his early coaches, laid a strong foundation for the international success that would follow.
Path to Professional Golf
Manassero’s path to professional golf began with a series of extraordinary amateur achievements. In 2009, at the age of 16, he became the youngest-ever winner of the British Amateur Championship, defeating England’s Sam Hutsby in the final. That victory earned him a place in the 2009 Open Championship, where he played alongside legends Tom Watson and Sergio García in the first two rounds. He made the cut and earned the Silver Medal as the leading amateur, ultimately finishing tied for 13th place.
On 30 December 2009, Manassero reached the top of the World Amateur Golf Rankings, a position he held for 18 weeks before turning professional. In April 2010, he made history at the Masters Tournament by becoming the youngest player ever to make the cut at Augusta National, surpassing a record held by Bobby Cole since 1967. Just days later, on 3 May 2010, he turned professional, launching what would become one of the most closely watched careers in modern European golf.
Matteo Manassero Career
Early Career (2010–2011)
Manassero made his professional debut at the 2010 BMW Italian Open and wasted little time making an impact. On 24 October 2010, he won the Castelló Masters Costa Azahar in Valencia, Spain, triumphing by four strokes over Ignacio Garrido. At 17 years old, he became the youngest-ever winner on the European Tour, surpassing a record previously held by New Zealand’s Danny Lee. The win secured his full European Tour playing privileges for the next two seasons and capped a remarkable rookie year that also included the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award.
In 2011, Manassero claimed his second European Tour title at the Maybank Malaysian Open on 17 April 2011, winning at 17 years and 363 days of age. That victory cemented his status as one of the most exciting young talents in the sport and confirmed his place among the elite competitors on tour.
European Tour Breakthrough (2012–2013)
The year 2012 marked another step forward for Manassero. In November 2012, he won the Barclays Singapore Open, becoming the first teenager to win three times on the European Tour. He also posted a second-place finish at the Open de Andalucía Costa del Sol and recorded five additional top-10 finishes, ending the season 13th on the final Order of Merit.
In 2013, Manassero achieved the biggest victory of his career to date, winning the 2013 BMW PGA Championship. He claimed the title with a birdie on the fourth extra hole of a playoff against Simon Khan and Marc Warren, becoming the youngest-ever winner of that prestigious tournament. The win pushed him inside the top 30 of the Official World Golf Ranking and earned him a place in the 2013 U.S. Open. He finished the season ranked 11th on the Order of Merit, his highest placement to that point.
Setbacks and Comeback (2014–2023)
Following his BMW PGA Championship win, Manassero faced a challenging stretch. In 2014, his only top-10 finish was a fourth place at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, and 2015 proved even more difficult, with just six cuts made in 22 starts and a 167th-place finish on the Order of Merit. He was able to retain his tour membership thanks to his 2013 win. After the first round of the 2016 Scottish Open, he opened up to bunkered magazine about the deep personal struggles he had endured during this period. He responded with a tied-third finish at Castle Stuart, his best result of that season.
Manassero’s comeback began in 2020, when he won the Toscana Open on the Alps Tour, his first professional victory in seven years. In 2023, he won twice on the Challenge Tour and finished ninth on the rankings, earning a return to the European Tour for 2024. In March 2024, he claimed his first European Tour victory in over a decade at the Jonsson Workwear Open in South Africa, signaling a strong return to form.
Driving Style and Strengths
Manassero is known for his calm temperament and strategic approach to course management. His strengths lie in precision iron play and a steady short game, both of which have served him well on a variety of course types. Throughout his career, his patience and composure under pressure have allowed him to compete successfully in high-stakes situations, including his memorable playoff win at the 2013 BMW PGA Championship.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Manassero’s most significant milestones are his 2009 British Amateur Championship win, his record-setting 2010 victory at the Castelló Masters, and his 2013 BMW PGA Championship triumph. He also holds the distinction of being the youngest player ever to make the cut at the Masters Tournament, a record he set in 2010.
Matteo Manassero Career Wins
Matteo Manassero has accumulated eight professional wins across multiple tours, including five victories on the European Tour, two on the Asian Tour, one on the Sunshine Tour, two on the Challenge Tour, and one on the Alps Tour. His career wins reflect both his early dominance and his determined comeback in recent years.
European Tour Highlights
Manassero’s five European Tour victories include the 2010 Castelló Masters Costa Azahar, the 2011 Maybank Malaysian Open, the 2012 Barclays Singapore Open, the 2013 BMW PGA Championship, and the 2024 Jonsson Workwear Open. His first win, in Valencia, made him the youngest-ever winner on the tour, while the 2013 BMW PGA Championship remains the crown jewel of his career. His 2024 victory in South Africa came more than a decade after his last European Tour title.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his European Tour successes, Manassero has also recorded wins on the Asian Tour, Sunshine Tour, Challenge Tour, and Alps Tour. His 2020 Toscana Open win on the Alps Tour marked an important turning point in his comeback, and his two Challenge Tour victories in 2023 helped him regain full status on the European Tour.
Matteo Manassero Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Matteo Manassero grew up in Negrar, in the Province of Verona, and developed his early golf skills at the Gardagolf Country Club in Soiano del Lago. His formative years in northern Italy shaped his approach to the sport and laid the groundwork for his international career.
Personal Life
Manassero is married to Francesca Apollonio, and the couple wed in 2022. He resides in Verona, Italy, and continues to maintain strong ties to the Gardagolf Country Club, where he serves as the touring professional. His personal life reflects his deep roots in the Verona region that has shaped his career from the beginning.
2025 Season Performance
Matteo Manassero enters the 2025 season with renewed confidence following his European Tour victory at the 2024 Jonsson Workwear Open. That win, his first on the tour in over a decade, signaled a strong return to competitive form and gave him momentum heading into the new year. With his playing status fully restored, Manassero is positioned to compete consistently in top-tier events.
Throughout 2025, Manassero is expected to balance his commitments between the European Tour and the PGA Tour, continuing his effort to climb back into the top tier of the Official World Golf Ranking. His experience and past success in major championships make him a credible contender in many of the season’s biggest events. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if he can build on the foundation he established with his 2024 victory.
With a career that has already included historic achievements and a notable comeback, Matteo Manassero remains one of Italy’s most accomplished golfers. His journey from teenage prodigy to seasoned professional continues to inspire a new generation of Italian players, and the 2025 season offers another opportunity to add to his legacy.