US GOLF PUNDITS SAY MANASSERO DOESN'T HIT IT FAR ENOUGH TO BE WORLD STAR

Sunday's Singapore Open winner Matteo Manassero is rated, quite rightly, one of the up and coming stars of the European Tour.

But the ESPN.com "judges" don't think the 19-year-old Italian, a former British amateur champion, will make it to the very top of the game. Why? They don't think he hits the ball far enough off the tee.

Read on:  

FROM THE ESPN.COM WEBSITE

Matteo Manassero captured his third European Tour title Sunday. How high a ceiling do you put on the young Italian?

Michael Collins: When he won at 17, it might have been thought of as a fluke by those outside golf, but then he verified the rookie win (and rookie of the year honors) his sophomore year with a victory in Malaysia. And did I forget to mention he was the youngest ever to make the cut at the Masters in 2010? Now with win No. 3 in the books, there is no ceiling for this kid on the European Tour and he's making the right move by staying there for a while.

Farrell Evans: Manassero is definitely a top-tier player, but he lacks the power that would put him in the echelon with Rory McIlroy.

Bob Harig: The issue with Manassero is length off the tee. He is not a long driver by any means, and that is going to hold him back at times. He played in only two major championships this year, although his victory in Singapore ought to help him get into all of them next year.

Kevin Maguire: Unfortunately I don't put the ceiling all that high on Manassero. Three European Tour wins is a decent career for many pros and to do so by 19 is certainly impressive. But the Italian teenager just doesn't hit the ball long enough in this day and age to win on a consistent basis.
He averaged just under 272 yards this year on the European Tour and unless that number increases by 20 or 30 yards, that will hold him back because so many of today's courses are stretched to the nth degree.

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