Matteo Manassero hopes to swiftly banish any Masters Tournament disappointment with a good showing at the Maybank Malaysian Open.
The BMW PGA Champion missed the cut at Augusta National after a second round 81, but has travelled half way around the world to play at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club venue where he won his second European Tour title aged just 17 in 2011.
Italian Manassero had started well at the year’s first Major with an opening 71, but admits the lightning quick greens got the better of him on Friday.
“The Masters is always a hard week and it was even harder this time,” said the 20 year old. “I started really well and I did well the first day but then I didn’t put the right mind energies into the second round and I just didn’t approach it the right way and I scored badly.
“I did putt really badly; my pace wasn’t there and that costs you a lot if you don’t have the pace at Augusta as there is not a straight putt. There are a lot of breaks and it’s really hard.
“I didn’t putt well enough and it was unfortunate to have such a bad score the second day.”
The European Tour’s youngest winner, Manassero already has four titles to his name and is looking forward to an event where he has finished first, seventh and 17th in his three appearances.
“I’m happy to be here and try to right that bad performance by playing well here,” he added.
“I have some great memories - the Maybank Malaysian Open is a nice event.
“It was a really long trip from America, now I’m here and I’m glad to be here.
“It brings back great memories and I never really played badly in this event so I want to keep that roll going.”
