As Lee Westwood returned to world number one in dramatic fashion this week, it is hard to remember a more exciting time for golf since a certain Tiger Woods exploded onto the scene almost 15 years ago.
Whilst the excitement then was about one player, the fervour which has gripped the sport over the last 18 months may have indeed emanated from the relative decline in fortunes of Woods, but that only tells half the story.
Some of the golf currently being produced by a handful of players would have given the 15-time major champion serious food for thought even at the peak of his powers, and it will be a challenge for him to retain his dominance.
New kids on the block
However, anyone doubting Woods’ readiness for the challenge – Ian Poulter included – were given a firm riposte on the final day at Augusta, as a searing front nine from Tiger suggested he has by no means won his last major championship.
Regardless, it was not the troubled former world number one who stole the headlines that weekend, nor arguably the eventual and probably deserved winner Charl Schwartzel. The first 63 holes at Augusta were tamed by a certain 21-year-old from Northern Ireland.
Rory McIlroy made the unspoiled greens and fairways his own and barely put a foot wrong in his quest to become the youngest Masters winner since Woods, and the first British champion since Nick Faldo.
That he found himself in a share of the lead, as opposed to four shots clear, at the halfway point of his final round was less to do with his failings than the brilliance of those around him, in particular Schwartzel.
Undoubtedly, were it not for the pressure that comes with taking such a lead into the final round of a Masters championship at the age of 21, McIlroy may have had a less nervy front half, and almost certainly a less catastrophic back nine.
Rising pressure
A triple-bogey at 10 was accompanied by three-putts at 11 and 15 that came either side of a four-putt at 12 which made for uncomfortable viewing every time it was replayed by the American host channel.
McIlroy’s 80 was the worst score in a final round by any player who has led after 54 holes but his fellow professionals were quick to rally round and praise the youngster for his remarkable and mature display of golf for the first three days.
Like those of us who were fortunate enough to witness the sublime stroke play that had propelled McIlroy to the top of the leaderboard on day one, and not seen him relinquish the lead until his 64th hole, his peers were convinced the Northern Irishman was a champion in the making, and that this experience would merely make him stronger.
These latter sentiments were echoed by the man himself in a show of maturity that belied his age, and if there were any fears that a recovery in form may not have been immediately forthcoming, these were dispelled within a week as McIlroy again found himself outright leader going into a final day, albeit with 27 holes left.
Whilst the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club may not have posed the same test as Royal Augusta – no course does – it was testament to both McIlroy’s raw golfing talent and immense strength of character that he played his way to -11 at the halfway stage, in a share of the lead with Sweden’s Alexander Noren.
He then produced eight straight pars at the start of his third round to take the lead for his own before rain brought play to a halt, leaving a gruelling final day between McIlroy and the perfect tonic for his Masters heartbreak.
However, the headlines on this occasion were not to be made by the 21-year-old, who couldn’t convert his advantage for the second time in a week, but by a man almost four years his junior who is slowly becoming the new darling of European golf.
Matteo Manassero’s progress so far is enough to suggest that he may even pip his Northern Irish counterpart to a first major, and the significance of the Italian’s defeat of McIlroy in the Malaysian Open cannot be overlooked.
The Italian stallion
Manassero broke onto the golfing scene in 2009 when, at the age of 16, he became the youngest ever winner of the British Amateur Championship. This qualified him for the Open where, playing alongside Sergio Garcia and Tom Watson in the first two rounds, he made the cut and won the silver medal as leading amateur. He eventually finished tied for 13th place.
The Italian made more history in 2010 when, aged 16 years, 11 months and 22 days, he became the youngest player to make the cut at The Masters. It broke Bobby Cole’s record which had stood since 1967 and Manassero announced he would turn professional shortly after the tournament, having spent 18 weeks on top of the amateur rankings.
The attention that McIlroy had been receiving up until then was starting to shift towards Manassero and it was on 24 October 2010 that the Italian demonstrated he was not a flash in the pan as he picked up his first European Tour title at the Castelló Masters Costa Azahar in Valencia.
Finishing four strokes ahead of Ignacio Garrido, the victory made him the youngest ever winner on the European Tour, surpassing the record set by Danny Lee at the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic. Manassero secured his full European Tour playing privileges for the next two seasons and posted another very strong result when he tied for second in the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open, one stroke behind winner Ian Poulter.
Manassero’s win in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 17 years and 363 days means he is now first and second on the list of youngest ever European Tour winners.
Considering McIlroy was 20 when he picked up his first professional win and was praised by Gary Player in 2009 as the “most exciting young player in the world”, you wonder how the South African would respond now.
The definition of young has changed and whilst there can be no doubting McIlroy’s credentials, Matteo Manassero already has the maturity, ability and winning mentality to steal the attention away from the Northern Irishman.
Yet this could prove a double-edged sword for McIlroy who would be wise to continue his praise for the Italian, and lavish him with the expectation that he himself has had thrust upon him the last two years.
Needless to say, Manassero has exceeded all expectations so far and if he keeps his feet on the ground who knows what he could achieve?
He is the real deal.
Whilst the excitement then was about one player, the fervour which has gripped the sport over the last 18 months may have indeed emanated from the relative decline in fortunes of Woods, but that only tells half the story.
Some of the golf currently being produced by a handful of players would have given the 15-time major champion serious food for thought even at the peak of his powers, and it will be a challenge for him to retain his dominance.
New kids on the block
However, anyone doubting Woods’ readiness for the challenge – Ian Poulter included – were given a firm riposte on the final day at Augusta, as a searing front nine from Tiger suggested he has by no means won his last major championship.
Regardless, it was not the troubled former world number one who stole the headlines that weekend, nor arguably the eventual and probably deserved winner Charl Schwartzel. The first 63 holes at Augusta were tamed by a certain 21-year-old from Northern Ireland.
Rory McIlroy made the unspoiled greens and fairways his own and barely put a foot wrong in his quest to become the youngest Masters winner since Woods, and the first British champion since Nick Faldo.
That he found himself in a share of the lead, as opposed to four shots clear, at the halfway point of his final round was less to do with his failings than the brilliance of those around him, in particular Schwartzel.
Undoubtedly, were it not for the pressure that comes with taking such a lead into the final round of a Masters championship at the age of 21, McIlroy may have had a less nervy front half, and almost certainly a less catastrophic back nine.
Rising pressure
A triple-bogey at 10 was accompanied by three-putts at 11 and 15 that came either side of a four-putt at 12 which made for uncomfortable viewing every time it was replayed by the American host channel.
McIlroy’s 80 was the worst score in a final round by any player who has led after 54 holes but his fellow professionals were quick to rally round and praise the youngster for his remarkable and mature display of golf for the first three days.
Like those of us who were fortunate enough to witness the sublime stroke play that had propelled McIlroy to the top of the leaderboard on day one, and not seen him relinquish the lead until his 64th hole, his peers were convinced the Northern Irishman was a champion in the making, and that this experience would merely make him stronger.
These latter sentiments were echoed by the man himself in a show of maturity that belied his age, and if there were any fears that a recovery in form may not have been immediately forthcoming, these were dispelled within a week as McIlroy again found himself outright leader going into a final day, albeit with 27 holes left.
Whilst the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club may not have posed the same test as Royal Augusta – no course does – it was testament to both McIlroy’s raw golfing talent and immense strength of character that he played his way to -11 at the halfway stage, in a share of the lead with Sweden’s Alexander Noren.
He then produced eight straight pars at the start of his third round to take the lead for his own before rain brought play to a halt, leaving a gruelling final day between McIlroy and the perfect tonic for his Masters heartbreak.
However, the headlines on this occasion were not to be made by the 21-year-old, who couldn’t convert his advantage for the second time in a week, but by a man almost four years his junior who is slowly becoming the new darling of European golf.
Matteo Manassero’s progress so far is enough to suggest that he may even pip his Northern Irish counterpart to a first major, and the significance of the Italian’s defeat of McIlroy in the Malaysian Open cannot be overlooked.
The Italian stallion
Manassero broke onto the golfing scene in 2009 when, at the age of 16, he became the youngest ever winner of the British Amateur Championship. This qualified him for the Open where, playing alongside Sergio Garcia and Tom Watson in the first two rounds, he made the cut and won the silver medal as leading amateur. He eventually finished tied for 13th place.
The Italian made more history in 2010 when, aged 16 years, 11 months and 22 days, he became the youngest player to make the cut at The Masters. It broke Bobby Cole’s record which had stood since 1967 and Manassero announced he would turn professional shortly after the tournament, having spent 18 weeks on top of the amateur rankings.
The attention that McIlroy had been receiving up until then was starting to shift towards Manassero and it was on 24 October 2010 that the Italian demonstrated he was not a flash in the pan as he picked up his first European Tour title at the Castelló Masters Costa Azahar in Valencia.
Finishing four strokes ahead of Ignacio Garrido, the victory made him the youngest ever winner on the European Tour, surpassing the record set by Danny Lee at the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic. Manassero secured his full European Tour playing privileges for the next two seasons and posted another very strong result when he tied for second in the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open, one stroke behind winner Ian Poulter.
Manassero’s win in Kuala Lumpur at the age of 17 years and 363 days means he is now first and second on the list of youngest ever European Tour winners.
Considering McIlroy was 20 when he picked up his first professional win and was praised by Gary Player in 2009 as the “most exciting young player in the world”, you wonder how the South African would respond now.
The definition of young has changed and whilst there can be no doubting McIlroy’s credentials, Matteo Manassero already has the maturity, ability and winning mentality to steal the attention away from the Northern Irishman.
Yet this could prove a double-edged sword for McIlroy who would be wise to continue his praise for the Italian, and lavish him with the expectation that he himself has had thrust upon him the last two years.
Needless to say, Manassero has exceeded all expectations so far and if he keeps his feet on the ground who knows what he could achieve?
He is the real deal.
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