Golf is a game that always throws up some remarkable stories and 2024 has been no different.
While we marvel at the likes of Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau going head to head in major tournaments where it comes down to a single shot, there is so much at stake for players who we might not speak about quite so much.
Indeed, Paul Waring has sealed a PGA Tour card for the first time in his long career, while we saw at the DP World Tour Championship how Antoine Rozner celebrated his third place finish and sealing the Frenchman’s place across the pond in 2025.
But while the stories of Waring, Rozner and more are inspiring, they are nothing compared to the story of Italian golfer, Matteo Manassero.
And after a remarkable 2024, Manassero is heading right back to the top of the game after taking time out from the game just six years ago.
Matteo Manassero completes one of golf’s greatest comebacks as he seals PGA Tour card for 2025
Those on the European circuit are very much aware of Matteo Manassero and his story is one of sadness and now, triumph.
Going all the way back to 20110, Manassero became the youngest player ever at just 17 to win a DP World Tour event. It’s a record that still stands today and by 2013, he’s risen to 25th in the world.
However, after years of struggles and a remarkable 22 straight missed cuts, Manassero found himself stepping away from the game after losing his cards altogether.
But like any top sportsperson, Manassero wouldn’t be denied and after putting in the work to get back among the DP World Tour scene, the Italian enjoyed a fine 2024.
A first win for 11 years cemented his comeback as he won the Jonsson Workwear Open over in South Africa, before he also got himself into contention to win at the Irish Open and the BMW PGA.
Those results were enough to push Manassero back into the top 100 in the world and with that, he’s earned a return to the PGA Tour for the first time since 2014.
Matteo Manassero’s career in numbers
It’s easy to forget just how young Manassero was when he exploded onto the golf scene in 2010.
Now, he is still only 31 and has plenty of life left in him in terms of being able to win more tournaments and finally fulfil that huge potential.
Manassero has won eight times as a professional, including five times on the European Tour. Within those five wins, he captured the BMW PGA in 2013, while he’s also won both the Malaysian and Singapore Opens.
The Italian’s issue has always been in the majors, with his best finish still being the T13th he got in 2009, well before he became a household name. In 2024, he missed the cut at the US Open, but did manage a 31st place finish at Royal Troon.
Manassero is a winner of the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award for his form in 2010 and going into 2025, he’ll be hoping his time has come to shine again.
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