	products recent interviews FastScripts archive about ASAP Sports

Our Clients:

Browse by Sport

Find us on

Subscribe to RSS

Click to go to
Asaptext.com

View our
e-Brochure

MASTERS TOURNAMENT

April 10, 2010

Matteo Manassero

AUGUSTA, GEORGIA

Q. Were you happy with your round today or not?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Yes, I'm happy with the way I played, but I'm not happy with the way I finished the round. So I played well for -- I started missing some greens and I didn't have a very good back nine.

Q. (No microphone.)
MATTEO MANASSERO: Condition?

Q. The course conditions.
MATTEO MANASSERO: No, not easier, but a lot different than yesterday.

Q. How long was that putt on 16?
MATTEO MANASSERO: It was maybe 36 feet, something like that.

Q. What have these last few days out here and playing with a guy like Chad, what does it show you as far as your ability to play with these guys on this kind of stage?
MATTEO MANASSERO: I'm thinking it's a good experience. It's a good experience watching guys who have played for 20 years on the PGA or 20 or so. I'm happy for that and I'm enjoying the experience.

Q. When do you plan to turn professional?
MATTEO MANASSERO: May, first week of May.

Q. Do you think you're ready?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Yes.

Q. What makes you believe that?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Because I'm comfortable playing with those guys and playing okay. I think I'm ready.

Q. What about the whole aspect of life on the road?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Well, that's what I like to do, what I want to do with my life, so.

Q. How do you manage to keep comfortable and confident, because there are guys that are twice your age who have not done what you've done here or at the British Open.
MATTEO MANASSERO: My game makes me comfortable and it shows my abilities.

Q. Did you talk about guys like Rory and Justin who came out very young?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Yeah, I spoke with Rory and he said if I'm feeling ready, then there is no problem in trying to do that.

Q. When you're at home do people recognize you?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Yeah, sometimes. Yes.

Q. Do your friends at school, if they don't play golf, do they understand what you do and how talented you are?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Yeah, of course they understand it. Yeah.

Q. Are you going to try to go to the European Tour Q-School or the PGA TOUR Q-School?
MATTEO MANASSERO: No, I'm trying the European Tour Q-School.

Q. Has anybody given you advice maybe not to turn professional, to wait awhile longer?
MATTEO MANASSERO: No, but -- no, I never heard about that.

Q. Nobody has ever said they don't think you're ready?
MATTEO MANASSERO: No.

Q. Do you have any exemptions lined up?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Yeah.

Q. Do you know which? You are playing the Italian Open, obviously.
MATTEO MANASSERO: Well, yes, I'm playing a few more, but I can't remember them all, I'm not sure yet, so I don't know.

Q. How many family members are here watching you play?
MATTEO MANASSERO: My father is here then some friends like 12 friends came here.

Q. Do you have a good relationship with Rocca?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Yes, always.

Q. Have you known him for a long time?
MATTEO MANASSERO: No, not a long time, but I know him, actually he knows me from a long time, but I just, I just met him like it was maybe a few years ago. But we saw each other play.

Q. Have you played with him?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Well, not really, no. I haven't had a chance.

Q. What course do you usually play at home?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Garda Golf. G A R D A Golf.

Q. (No microphone.)
MATTEO MANASSERO: Yes.

Q. (No microphone.)
MATTEO MANASSERO: No.

Q. Are you enjoying this whole experience?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Of course, yes.

Q. What's been your favorite part?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Playing in this tournament in this atmosphere, playing in this event.

Q. When you're not playing golf what are your hobbies? What do you like to do?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Play soccer and relax.

Q. (No microphone.)
MATTEO MANASSERO: In Milan.

Q. (No microphone.)
MATTEO MANASSERO: One night.

Q. Which night?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Monday night.

Q. In a house for the rest of it?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Yes.

Q. (No microphone.)
MATTEO MANASSERO: This summer? I will probably play golf all over this summer.

Q. How do you think Italy will do this summer?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Oh, the World Cup? Oh, I don't know, but I'm thinking badly at this point, so.
I don't think it will be easier for them, but I hope it will be.

Q. What are your dreams, your long-time goals as a golfer?
MATTEO MANASSERO: To obviously try to win some events on the European Tour.

Q. When you started playing golf and you realized that you were good would you have expected or hoped to be where you are at this young of an age or not?
MATTEO MANASSERO: No, I never expected it. I dreamed about being here, but never expected that I had the possibility to play here in these events at 16.

Q. When did you first start playing?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Three years old.

Q. Are you going to play the European Tour for a certain time and then play the PGA TOUR?
MATTEO MANASSERO: No, no, I just want to do -- I will try in the other way when I know that I'm competitive that way.

Q. You seem very comfortable, have there been times when you've been very nervous or had to calm yourself down over shots?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Yes, sometimes when you're not playing good and the stage is big you have to do a big thing and you're not playing good, you get nervous, but you have to try to stay, just to stay more calm.

Q. Were you more nervous at the British last year or here?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Maybe at the British last year sometimes. Because I was, it was my first Major Championship.
Here it's the second and the British Open obviously helped me with this.

Q. Are you looking forward to watching the rest of the tournament today?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Of course.

Q. Who are you rooting for?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Oh, for Lee Westwood and for Tiger.

Q. Are you going to watch soccer this afternoon?
MATTEO MANASSERO: Maybe, if there is some TV. What channel is it on?

Q. ESPN 3, I think it is.
MATTEO MANASSERO: Oh, okay. I'll watch it.

End of FastScripts

ASAP Sports, Inc. | T: 1.212 385 0297