Championship News

The 2 finalists in the British Amateur Championship at Formby Matteo Manassero and Sam Hutsby will represent their respective teams Italy and England in the European Amateur Teasm Championships at Conwy next week.


16-year-old Matteo Manassero  won the 2009 Amateur Championship after beating England’s Sam Hutsby 4&3 in today’s 36-hole final which was watched by over 1000 spectators.
 
The Italian becomes the youngest player to win The Amateur Championship at 16 years and two months (62 days), easily surpassing the previous record of 18 years and one month.  He also becomes the first Italian to win the Championship in its 124-year history and only the third man to win the title having led the stroke play qualifying.
 
“I never imagined once that I could win this tournament; I’m shocked. It’s unbelievable!” said Manassero from Verona, who finished 19th at last month’s Italian Open. “I think everyone in Italy knows about it already, and I hope it helps with amateur golf there.  To be the first Italian, wow, that is something very special.”
 
Manassero will now accept invitations to both The Open Championship this July, and next April’s Masters Tournament. And he’ll go to Turnberry with the advantage of having played the Ailsa course at last year’s Amateur Championship.
 
The final saw Manassero continue the form which had seen him progress through all rounds with relative ease, only on