All eyes will be on Matteo when he plays in his national Open

ROME: Italian Matteo Manassero (pic) , golf’s teenage hot prospect who became the youngest to play the US Masters, will bring the sport back to the forefront of his country’s consciousness when he makes his pro debut next month.

Matteo’s bow at his national Open will bring a wave of optimism to Italy’s burgeoning golf scene – and surely a red glow to the faces of some short-sighted members of local clubs who tried to keep him off their course as a tiny tot.