BMW PGA Championship: All Eyes on Matteo Manassero

There is a story brewing at this very moment in Surrey, England that could wind up being the most epic victory by a young golfer since a skinny fella in a red shirt won the 1997 Masters by 12 strokes.

Matteo Manassero, 18 years old, is currently tied for the lead with Luke Donald and Alvaro Quiros at six-under-par through 54 holes at the BMW PGA Championship.

Casual American golf fans may not know the BMW PGA Championship from the Australasian Tour’s Surf Coast Knockout. It’s not a major, a World Golf Championship or the Players Championship.

However, in this modern era of global golf, the BMW PGA Championship is probably just a notch below a major and close to, if not equal to, an event like the Players Championship.  

Seven of the top nine players in the world are at the Wentworth Club this week to compete in the European Tour’s flagship event.

Lee Westwood is there, Martin Kaymer is there, Graeme McDowell is there, Rory McIlroy is there, Charl Schwartzel is there, Paul Casey is there, Ernie Els is there, Donald is there, etc.   

Forget about Jordan Spieth’s one-under-par opening round at the HP Byron Nelson Championship; he’s playing against a field far inferior to the one currently assembled at Wentworth and heck, Manassero is only three months older than Spieth anyway.

Manassero, a native of Negrar, Italy, is not flashy nor does he doesn’t hit the ball 400 yards. However, this guy, or shall I say kid, has had one incredible start to his professional career.

Since turning pro in April of 2010, Manassero has only missed three cuts. That’s a stat that many long-time seasoned touring pros would purchase from Manassero in a heartbeat.

In his last 22 events alone, he has 12 top-25 finishes, including two victories.

Manassero has finished within the top 40 at each of the two majors he has attended, including a tie for 13th at the 2009 Open Championship while still an Amateur.  

He’s the youngest player to ever win a European Tour event (the 2010 Castello Masters) and the youngest player to ever make the cut at the Masters. 

Although Manassero could probably afford to purchase an entire Ferrari dealership, he has yet to even obtain an Italian driver’s license (the minimum age for driving is 18 in Italy).

So forget about anything that’s happening in Texas, Kentucky or anywhere else on this side of the pond. The eyes of the golf world should be focused on the BMW PGA Championship this weekend, where we are likely to see history made in one form or another.

If Donald were to win, he’d move into the No. 1 spot in the World Golf Rankings for the first time in his career. If Manassero were to win this event at just 18 years old, it would be the most impressive victory by a young player since Tiger Woods took the 1997 Masters.

Although it may not be happening on the PGA Tour or even here in America, there is certainly a big-time show taking place in the world of golf this weekend, which is why we can all be thankful for satellite television.

For more golf news, insight and analysis, check out The Tour Report.