Italy's Manassero, 16, says he's turning professional

Three weeks from now, while his classmates are trudging to high school, Matteo Manassero will be embarking on a learning experience himself. The soon-to-be 17-year-old Italian star is turning professional.

Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- He'll celebrate his 17th birthday a week from Monday. Two weeks later, Matteo Manassero will close the books on his high school classes and make his professional debut at the BMW Italian Open.

The talented teen should have considerable confidence, too.

Manassero just made the cut at the Masters and will take the silver cup that goes to the low amateur back home to Italy. He'll finish his final two years of school over the Internet, but judging by his performance at Augusta National, his game has already passed the test.

Manassero said he has talked with Rory McIlroy, the 20-year-old Northern Irishman who also turned pro as a teenager. "He said if I'm feeling ready, then there is no problem in trying to do that," the young Italian reported.

During the first two rounds at Augusta National, Manassero played with Lee Westwood, who is ranked No. 4 in the world, and former Masters champ Mike Weir. The Italian shot 71 on Thursday, 76 in the second round and just finished off a 73 on Saturday

"I think he's got a big future," Westwood said. "You have to pinch yourself and remind yourself that he's only 16 and got a very mature game. He'll be around for a long time. There's not that many weaknesses in his game."

Manassero, who won the British Amateur last year and then tied for 13th at the Open Championship, said he feels comfortable playing at the highest level. He's been playing golf since his parents took him to a driving range in his hometown of Verona, Italy, when he was 3. 

"From there, I actually never stopped," Manassero said. "I always forced my parents to bring me to the golf course, so that's my strange life, golf."

As prodigious as he has turned out to be, though, even Manassero admits he's ahead of schedule.
"I dreamed about being here, but never expected that I had the possibility to play here in these events at 16," he said.

As a child, Manassero idolized Seve Ballesteros, whom he met during the 1997 Italian Open at his home club, Garda Golf, in Verona, Italy, when he was just 4. "We chipped together," Manassero recalled. "It was a funny moment. I holed a chip. That's why it was fun."

More recently, he's had the ear of Constantino Rocca and the Molinari brothers, Edoardo and Francesco, both of whom also competed in the Masters this week and played a practice round with Manassero. He also played 18 holes with Tom watson, whom he met earlier this year in Dubai.

"He gave me great advices," Manassero said. "Obviously he knows the course better than any other."

Manessero hopes to earn enough money playing on seven sponsor's exemptions to get his European Tour card. The Challenge Tour is another option, and there's always q-school in the fall. As for the PGA TOUR, he says, "I will try in the other way when I know that I'm competitive that way."

Manassero said he's not a big hitter, but he keeps the ball in play. He's particularly proud of the way he hits his long irons, but is quick to add that his putter could use some work. "(It makes) me a little mad sometimes," Manassero said.

For now, though, he's just soaking up the atmosphere at Augusta National -- on both sides of the ropes.

Manessero, who first came to Augusta National in November as the guest of a member and played four times, is staying in a house with his parents. On Monday, though, he spent the night in the Crow's Nest with four other amateurs and watched the NCAA finals. 

"It's a good experience watching guys who have played for 20 years on the PGA (Tour) or so," Manassero said. "I'm happy for that and I'm enjoying the experience."

Who's he rooting for this week? Well, his loyalties are divided -- Lee Westwood and Tiger Woods. Regardless of who wins, he says he will be hard-pressed to describe the entire experience to his friends back home in Verona.

"I won't have words to tell how big and how exciting," Manassero said. "It is the Masters. It's just a special place, a special tournament, a dream; so that's what I may be will say to them."