Matteo Manassero Is Peaking at Perfect Time Heading into 2013 US Open

With a win at the European Tour's BMW PGA Championship last week and a share of the first-round lead at the Nordea Masters, Matteo Manassero is peaking at the best possible time ahead of the 2013 U.S. Open.

The 20-year-old Italian golfing prodigy may be barely out of his teens, but he continues to prove himself as his promising career progresses. Winning so early in one's career is perhaps the best measurable statistic to project future success, and Manassero is flashing the knack to close out tournaments.

Steve Elling documented the significance of Manassero's win in the context of the lack of success other top-flight European players have had in 2013:

Although his most recent win is his biggest, at what is essentially the European Tour's flagship regular-season event, Manassero has been routinely making huge headlines in each of the past five years.

Golfing World, who paid tribute to Manassero's accomplishments prior to his triumph at Wentworth this past Sunday, adequately summarized his career accolades:

Manassero finished tied for 13th in the 2009 British Open at Turnberry—playing alongside the likes of legend Tom Watson and Sergio Garcia for the first two days at that.

Undaunted by the big stage, it was time for Manassero to turn pro. That led to a Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award in his maiden European Tour campaign in 2010, and he's won one tournament per year since becoming a member.

Overall consistency has been a problem for Manassero, though, and that's why his opening-round 66 at the Nordea Masters coming off of his huge victory is such a big deal.

On Thursday, Manassero got off to a red-hot start, birdieing his first six holes in rather difficult, blustery conditions at Stockholm's Bro Hof Slott Golf Club. Even when dropped shots later on threatened to derail his day, he continually responded well enough to share the lead with Pablo Larrazabal.

Manassero, the No. 28-ranked player in the world, said after the round that he had never started that well, as reported by EuropeanTour.com.

Typically, the game Manassero plays relies on precision over power and a strong short game to get him by. However, tweaks to his swing and a more filled-out frame have gotten him a bit of extra distance.

That won't necessarily be a deal-breaker at the U.S. Open, though, which is next on Manassero's slate after this week. Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., suits Manassero extremely well, because it isn't a terribly long course at 6,996 yards.

When ESPN's Bob Harig reported on world No. 1 Tiger Woods getting a first taste of the layout, one comment by Woods stood out the most when he elaborated on the characteristics of past champions there:

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If you look at the list of champions, they are very disciplined players. You play to certain spots. You play to certain spots on the greens. You leave yourself certain putts and you deal with it and you move on. ... You have to be able to put the ball in the correct spots and be disciplined.

"

Manassero has always been more of a grinding player than one with extreme firepower. Now he's making more birdies with improved ball-striking, which backs up his natural gifts as a chipper and putter.

In the playoff triumph at the BMW over Simon Khan and Marc Warren, he birdied three of four holes, including a tap-in at the par-five 18th to cap off a tour de force performance. It exempted him from needing to qualify for the U.S. Open, too.

With the combination of apparent increasing confidence, recent winning form, precocious course management skills, ideal accuracy and sound short game, don't be surprised if Manassero makes some serious noise at Merion regardless of his finish in Sweden.

Note: Information from BMW PGA Championship and Nordea Masters, unless otherwise indicated, is courtesy of EuropeanTour.com.