GOLF:TEENAGER MATTEO Manassero returns this week to the course where he struck his first shot as a professional, still pinching himself about how much he has achieved in the 13 months since.

The BMW Italian Open at Royal Park near Turin sees Manassero warming up for a US Open debut that would not even have been on his radar when he left the amateur ranks after last year’s US Masters.

But from 570th in the world at the start of 2010 the 18-year-old now finds himself ranked 30th, with two European Tour wins to his name and approaching €2 million in prize money already.

“My first full year as a professional has been more than I could ever have imagined,” Manassero told the tour’s website.

Having led the PGA Championship at Wentworth with a round to go before slipping to seventh two weeks ago, he now hopes to become the second home winner of his national Open in six years.

Francesco Molinari was the other in Milan in 2006, and Manassero added: “I remember watching Francesco winning and feeling very excited as no Italian had won for a very long time (26 years).

“We will both be trying very hard again and it would be fantastic to put my name on the trophy alongside Francesco’s.”

Darren Clarke, along with Colin Montgomerie, is in the star three-ball with Manassero, and they tee-off at 8.15am today.

The other Irish in the field are Damien McGrane, Paul McGinley and Simon Thornton.

Montgomerie is badly in need of a boost after all that has happened to him in the last nine days.

Everything seemed on the up for last year’s Ryder Cup captain when he came seventh at Wentworth, his first top-10 finish for almost three years.

But 24 hours later he failed to qualify for the US Open, then he shot 78 and 79 at Celtic Manor for a 15-over total that was worst in Europe for over 20 years.

And on Monday he was last in the British Open qualifier at Sunningdale, his six-over aggregate being 18 strokes worse than winner Graeme Storm.

Italian Open

Course: Royal Park I Roveri, Turin.

Length: 7,282 yards. Par: 72. Opened in 1971, designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr.

Prizemoney: €250,000 for the winner

Field: Not terribly strong.

Defending champion: Fredrik Andersson Hed.

First played: 1972.

Irish winners: Graeme McDowell 2004, Ronan Rafferty 1989, David Feherty 1986.

On TV: Sky Sports 1, 10.30-12.30, 15.30-17.30.

Weather: Afternoon thunderstorms expected today and tomorrow, while Saturday and Sunday will begin with near-record lows before rising into the 20s.