Manassero takes two-shot lead in Saudi International opening round
Britain Golf – BMW PGA Championship – Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey, England – 26/5/17 Italy’s Matteo Manassero plays from a bunker on the 18th during the second round Action Images via Reuters / Andrew Boyers
Feb 3 (Reuters) – Italy’s Matteo Manassero took a two-shot lead in the opening round of the Saudi International after carding a brilliant 62 to finish at eight-under on Thursday.
Manassero struck eight birdies, including six on the front nine, as he made a strong start in the opening event of the Asian Tour’s 2022-23 season at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
The Jeddah event boasts a strong field including Americans Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau, Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Briton Tommy Fleetwood. It has a $5 million prize fund.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register
“It was one of those days in which everything was going my way,” said Manassero. “I was playing really solid, giving myself a lot of birdie chances, a lot of really short ones.
“This is the first tournament I’m out with this new putter which I changed during lockdown. I’m curious to see what 2022 has for me which has started well.”
Manassero was two shots clear of a pack of five players on six-under that included two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson.
Former world number one and defending champion Dustin Johnson was at five-under, world number eight Xander Schauffele ended three-under, while DeChambeau finished three-over.
“It’s crazy because we had all of this wind the practice rounds and then today was a lot less windy,” said Watson.
“The golf course is a little easier without the wind so that made it better.
“With the wind set to come tomorrow we needed to get off to a hot start today – if we then hang on we could be close to the lead or top 10 going into the weekend.”
The Asian Tour is set for a major overhaul this season with the introduction of 10 new marquee events following its partnership with the newly-formed LIV Golf Investments, a company backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register
Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru Editing by Toby Davis
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
