Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi’s record-breaking global golf ambassador, Italian wonderboy Matteo Manassero, is ready to inspire thousands of young golfers from across the UAE in January, when he fights for glory in the 10th Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
The youngest tournament winner in European Tour history, at 17 years and 188 days, Manassero, now 21, will take his sixth shot at Abu Dhabi’s prestigious Falcon Trophy and a share of the US $2.7 million prize purse.
Now with four European Tour victories under his belt, Manassero is hoping to inspire the next generation of juniors golfers, en route to victory. “Abu Dhabi really is like a second home to me. I have spent a lot of time in the emirate and love how the Championship throws up so many unexpected results year after year – it really is anyone’s trophy,” said Matteo.
“Nothing would mean more to me than lifting the Falcon Trophy at the Championship’s 10th anniversary event and I am going to do everything in my power to make it happen.”
As the emirate’s global golf ambassador, Manassero regularly visits the UAE capital and even attributed his victory in the 2012 Barclays Singapore Open to a week of relaxation and practice on Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s National course.
“Every time I visit Abu Dhabi, I’m impressed by the growing numbers of junior golfers. I know that if I can take the title next year, I can inspire young players from across the emirate and that maybe we will see a young Emirati challenging for the Falcon Trophy in years to come.”
Manassero famously finished 13th in the Race to Dubai in 2012 and was the second youngest European Tour member in history after his idol, Seve Ballasteros.
“Matteo is a fantastic ambassador for Abu Dhabi and junior golfers all over the world,” said Sultan Al Daheri, Acting Executive Director Tourism, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi), which owns and organises the Championship. “He’s got a lot of fans in the region and we’ve no doubt they will all be rooting for him this January as he comes out fighting for a special Championship 10th year victory.”
