Starting from zero: Matteo Manassero hoping to reignite his career in Hong Kong

Matteo Manassero knows a thing or two about high expectations. At just 16, the Italian became the youngest player to make the cut at the US Masters in 2010.

The amateur was already on every golf fan’s radar; the youngest ever to win the British Amateur Championship in 2009, earning the British Open Silver Medal soon afterwards, and cementing himself as the number one ranked amateur in the game. The world was at his feet.

The records kept coming after the prodigy turned pro one year later. “Manny” was at it again – the youngest to win a European Tour event, almost adding to his tally at the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open, where he finished one stroke behind winner Ian Poulter.

He chalked up four European Tour victories in four years, but has not won since the 2013 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Now 24, Manassero brushes off any remaining “weight on [his] shoulders” after making the cut at the 2017 Hong Kong Open by one shot with scores of 72 and 69.

“Things have changed,” he said. “This year is like starting from zero.”