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After the second round of the South African Open, in Johannesburg, Matteo Manassero placed himself in second place with a score of 136 (68 68, -8). The Italian is just one shot behind Swedish leader Jesper Svensson, who scored 135 (68 67, -9).
Sharing second position with Manassero are the South African Casey Jarvis and the Swede Joakim Lagergren. Manassero made nine birdies in 36 holes played, with just one bogey. Other Italians also achieved good results: Francesco Laporta and Renato Paratore are in 15th place with 140 (-4), while Andrea Pavan is 26th with 141 (70 71, -3).
Filippo Celli and Lorenzo Scalise made the cut and are in 59th place with 144 (par). Unfortunately Edoardo Molinari was eliminated, ranking 84th with 146 (76 70, +2). The South African Open is one of the oldest tournaments on the DP World Tour, now in its 113th edition.
Matteo Manassero, results
Having achieved promotion from the Challenge and earned the full ‘card’ for the top-level men’s continental tour, Manassero prepares to challenge the second race of the 2024 DP World Tour in South Africa with thoughts of greatness.
The 30-year-old from Negrar Valpolicella (Verona) has not secured a victory on the major tour since May 2013, when he achieved the great feat at the BMW Championship.
A burning desire for success and the wealth of experience acquired over the years allow Manassero to aim for final victory, challenging the reputation of opponents stronger than him.
But the undertaking will not be easy and will require unparalleled technical skill and deep concentration to overcome the obstacles that will come his way. However, Manassero is ready to challenge any opponent and fight to the end to achieve his goal.
Born in Negrar di Valpolicella, in the province of Verona, on 19 April 1993, he began playing golf at the age of 3 and a half at the Villafranca Golf Club. In 1998 he moved to the Gardagolf Country Club in Soiano del Lago (BS) coached by Franco Maestroni; one of the first to notice him and talk about him is the television journalist Germano Mosconi, who became known in the 2000s in the world of the Internet following the publication of videos of his angry reactions to unexpected events off-air while hosting the broadcaster’s information programs local Telenuovo.
He currently trains and lives at the Monticello Golf Club (near Como) and is followed by Alberto Binaghi. In 2009, at just 16 years old, he won the British Amateur Championship, one of the two Majors for amateurs. With this victory Matteo establishes the record of youngest winner of the tournament and first Italian, guaranteeing himself an invitation to two Majors: the Open Championship and The Masters.
During the 2009 Open Championship in Turnberry, Matteo placed 13th, tied with Francesco Molinari, earning the Silver Medal: the prize awarded to the best amateur in the race.
