In case you missed it, Matteo Manassero stormed back to win the Malaysian Open this weekend. He stole it away from Rory McIlroy who’d lead through 36 holes. It’s Manassero’s second European Tour win and it came just two days before his 18th birthday.
That’s a 17-year-old taking a tournament away from a 21-year-old. It’s another sight that the young guns are beginning to take over. Manassero has long been celebrated and these kinds of performances will solidify him as a global leader in the game
(Ed Note: Is anyone else surprised McIlroy is having trouble closing? After his first win at the 2010 Wells Fargo Championship it seemed as if the young kid had nerves of steel. Not being ready for the moment at The Masters is one thing, but I expected him to run with this lead.)
A few other notes
~ PGA Tour rooke Brendan Steele took home the Valero Texas Open title this weekend. He’s 28-years-old and another new, young face to be reckoned with on Tour.
~ Also, Tiger Woods’ niece, Cheyenne Woods, captured the ACC Women’s Individual title this weekend for Wake Forest.
It’s been a long time since there has been so much young talent in the game at the professional level. You have to be excited for each tournament every week. There’s no more Big 4. Now, it’s the young 20.
I would normally say he was exhausted and playing on fumes…he did have a long flight over from Augusta and arrived barely a day before the first round. If he wants to be a world traveler like many international players, his body and diet will have to acclimate themselves.