Manassero becomes youngest ever Tour winner
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Matteo Manassero has become the youngest ever player to win a European Tour title, as he romped to victory at the Castello Masters in Spain.
At just 17 years and 188 days old, the Italian starlet booked his place in the record books with a final-round 67 which gave him a winning total of 16-under-par, four shots clear of Ignacio Garrido and five in front of overnight leader Gary Boyd.
Three birdies on the bounce on the back nine on Sunday put Manassero in a winning position and his victory sees him take the record of New Zealander Danny Lee, who claimed his maiden Tour victory at the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic, aged 18 years and 213 days.
Tour-rookie Boyd reached the turn seemingly in control, holding a two-shot lead standing on the 10th tee. But the brilliance of the composed Manassero was too much for him to resist as the Italian made birdie on the 13th, 14th and 15th, after securing an impressive par-save on the 12th.
And while Manassero was looking imperious, Boyd was struggling – the young Englishman finished with four dropped shots to finish on 11-under-par.
Manassero’s victory in Valenica earned him a cheque of almost £300,000
