Matteo Manassero turns professional
May 3, 2010

Italian teenager Matteo Manassero turned professional on Monday, becoming the European Tour’s second youngest member after Seve Ballesteros.

“I feel ready to turn pro and am happy to play my first event at the BMW Italian Open (on Thursday),” Manassero told the tour’s official website (www.europeantour.com).

Ballesteros was 17 years and eight days when he made his pro debut in the 1974 Spanish Open and he went on to win five majors and 50 European Tour titles in a glittering career.

Manassero will be 17 years and 17 days on Thursday. The former amateur showed his golfing potential by finishing tied 13th at the 2009 British Open and last month he became the youngest player to make a cut at the U.S. Masters.