Matteo Manassero admits this year’s BMW PGA Championship feels even more special than usual after his victory in the event last year.
The Italian became the youngest winner of The European Tour’s flagship event when he fought off Marc Warren and Simon Khan in a play-off at Wentworth Club.
That gave the then-20-year-old a fourth European Tour title, and now Manassero is keen to build on a steady if not spectacular start to the season.
The 21 year old has made eight cuts in nine events, but has only finished in the top ten once, at the Volvo Golf Champions.
“It has been a special week every year I came here, but obviously this year, it's more special just because of what happened last year for sure,” he said.
“The memories that you have every time you come back to a tournament, you get memories, and when memories are as good as this time for last year, all of a sudden, the week becomes even more special.
“That's the way I feel right now. I feel like I am in a special place but I always felt that.
“I feel like this year, there is something extra to it. But I would say there would always be, because in the end, it's going to stay with me for my life.
“If I come back here in ten years, I will still remember that. Hopefully I will remember a few more, but I will remember the first one, and I will remember last year's win, so it will always be something really, really special.”
Manassero has not won since his four-hole play-off victory a year ago – something he admits has been a cause of frustration.
“I was, of course, a little disappointed with the end of last year,” he added. “It was more than disappointing - frustrating, let's put it that way.”
