Manassero going pro: smart or foolish decision?

[zeg]

Just saw this on the Masters 2010 headlines:

http://www.majorschampionships.com/m...assero_pro.cfm

Three weeks from now, while his classmates are trudging to high school, Matteo Manassero will be embarking on a learning experience himself. The soon-to-be 17-year-old Italian star is turning professional.

I'm curious what people think about this decision. After Michelle Wie's experience, I'm wondering if it's a wise career move in the long run. I know when I was that age I still needed some time to grow up socially with my peers. I don't see how you're going to get any time for that if you're pursuing a professional career.

I haven't been following pro golf for long, but are there other examples of 16-17 year olds going pro with less controversial results? I suppose there's no experience like Tour experience, so in that regard the sooner you get out, the more time you have to improve. But is it not possible to do that as an amateur? Is there any real difference at his level between his schedule as an amateur and what it'd be as a pro? Maybe he's already spending all his time traveling and playing, so now he can just accept purses? Anyway, I'd appreciate any thoughts you all have.

[mcfc_nick]

i really do think he is good enough to turn pro but i still think its a daft decision, the guy isnt even 18 yet so i find it way too early for him. Like i heard Wayne Grady say the other day, if he turns pro and then misses a few cuts and gets battered for a while on tour then it could seriously dent his confidence and delay his progress.

[zeg]

Oof, just noticed my typo in the thread title... is there any way to fix that?

[Chilli Dipper]

I think he's ready. He's shown very well when he's been in the field at pro events, and he'll be spending the next few years on the European Tour. He's not going to make the mistake Danny Lee made, and expect to be an immediate factor in America.

[Ben]

Smart. What I've learned about playing as a pro is that I should have started sooner. The kids got the game now, he's going to go pro eventually. Might as well get his career started as early as possible. Like Chilli Dipper suggests, its not as though he's gonna try to break the ranks of the PGA Tour right away. There are many levels of professional golf. He'll start at the level best suited for him, and work his way up. I don't agree with mcfc_nick's statements about dinging confidence or delaying progress in missing cuts. The kid is in the Masters at 16, I think his golf game is at quite an advanced level. Plus, young or old, nobody makes the cut in every event they enter. I know when I don't perform well, it makes me even more excited to play the next event. Sure it stings for the drive home, but the next day its forgotten.

[jamo]

Most times I would say no, but if you can make the cut at the Masters at 16, go for it.

[Uber$winG]

I wonder what advice Ty Tryon would give the young lad.

[mjtoal]

Manassero is a very different case to Tryon. Tryon had no amateur record of note. Manassero is the Amateur Champion, and has had a bunch of very good major performances. Tryon has never played in a major.

He also has a very good coach and is not just yet another Leadbetter prodigy who promises much but delivers little.

[laconic517]

pretty sure some of the europeans back in the 70's and 80's turned pro at 16 or 17 and had success. I think I remember hearing that Sandy Lyle turned pro when he was 16 or 17.

[jmomcc]

Soccer players are pro at 16 so I don't see the problem. What else would he do? Go pro and get the experience and try to build up slowly.

[DavidFehertysBike]

European culture is different. Teens across the pond tend to be more grounded and mature than US teens. I think he'll be fine.

[alf174]

I think it will comes down to his parents, how good they can keep him grounded and not lose sight of long term goals. Wie's story may have been different/better (or worse) if her parents had made some different decisions.

[mjtoal]

pretty sure some of the europeans back in the 70's and 80's turned pro at 16 or 17 and had success. I think I remember hearing that Sandy Lyle turned pro when he was 16 or 17.

Yeah, the US way of going to college and turning pro at 21 or so is only a relatively recent development over here, and a lot of good players don't go down that route even if they have the chance.

[zeg]

Interesting, didn't realize the difference in culture. I can certainly understand that once you're playing competitively in the Masters there's not much to be gained golf-wise from waiting, but it seems like it's rarely the golf part of life that causes the flame-outs of the prodigies. Hopefully he and his parents can keep him grounded (but not in a bunker or hazard!) and he can capitalize on his early start compared to his peers.

[MrKadash]

Good luck to him. He and his family have a different set of values and way of thinking, far be it from me to pass judgment. I can only speak for myself, and I would encourage my kids to get an education. If Manassero can do both, great.

[ET-Taylor]

European culture is different. Teens across the pond tend to be more grounded and mature than US teens. I think he'll be fine.

Ill take that as a compliment being 15 from scotland which is in europe

[BallStriker]

being 15 from scotland which is in europe

May be one of the funniest things I have ever read....no knock on you Taylor, just the fact that you felt like you had to point out Scotland is part of Europe.

[BonoVox]

After watching Couples and Watson play competitively the last year or so part of my wonders why the hurry?

I can see in baseball or basketball when you can sign a multi million dollar deal out of highschool guranteed. (take it or maybe lose it forever) But not so sure in this sport. But what do I know? LOL