BARCELONA, May 4 (Reuters) - Teenage prodigy Matteo Manassero is expected to make his U.S. Open debut next month and he simply cannot wait to take on the famous Congressional Country Club course in Bethesda, Maryland.
The 18-year-old Italian is 33rd in the world rankings and needs to remain in the top 50 by the end of May in order to make certain of his place in the second major of the year.
"I'm really looking forward to playing one of the world's most famous courses," twice European Tour winner Manassero told Reuters on the eve of the Spanish Open.
"I don't know anything about the Congressional, except I know the rough will be long, but tough courses suit my game and I'm excited about making my debut."
The June 16-19 U.S. Open will be held for the third time on the Blue course at Congressional where South African Ernie Els won the most recent edition in 1997.
Manassero became the youngest winner on the European Tour when he lifted the Castello Masters title in Spain last year, at the age of 17.
Europe's 2010 Rookie of the Year then proved his maiden victory was no fluke by landing the Malaysian Open crown in Kuala Lumpur last month.
While Manassero is delighted to have won twice already in his fledgling career, the teenager is also concerned about a possible backlash.
LOTS TO LEARN
"My wins have happened very soon which is nice because I can now go on and achieve more," he said.
"(But) I do wonder if it has all come too soon because now everybody expects me to win when I still have a lot to learn.
"There will be bad times but I'm sure I'll be able to handle it especially as I have a good team around me."
Manassero, competing this week for the first time since his Malaysian triumph, is juggling the demands of the tour with trying to complete his formal education.
"It's not easy to combine the two but I try," he said. "I want to finish my studies so I travel with my books and do my exams."
Manassero said that qualifying for next year's Ryder Cup near Chicago was in his thoughts.
"The Ryder Cup is far away ... (but) obviously it's on my mind," he explained.
"My present goal is to make the top 10 in the Race to Dubai," added Manassero who now holds 13th place on Europe's money-list.
The 18-year-old Italian is 33rd in the world rankings and needs to remain in the top 50 by the end of May in order to make certain of his place in the second major of the year.
"I'm really looking forward to playing one of the world's most famous courses," twice European Tour winner Manassero told Reuters on the eve of the Spanish Open.
"I don't know anything about the Congressional, except I know the rough will be long, but tough courses suit my game and I'm excited about making my debut."
The June 16-19 U.S. Open will be held for the third time on the Blue course at Congressional where South African Ernie Els won the most recent edition in 1997.
Manassero became the youngest winner on the European Tour when he lifted the Castello Masters title in Spain last year, at the age of 17.
Europe's 2010 Rookie of the Year then proved his maiden victory was no fluke by landing the Malaysian Open crown in Kuala Lumpur last month.
While Manassero is delighted to have won twice already in his fledgling career, the teenager is also concerned about a possible backlash.
LOTS TO LEARN
"My wins have happened very soon which is nice because I can now go on and achieve more," he said.
"(But) I do wonder if it has all come too soon because now everybody expects me to win when I still have a lot to learn.
"There will be bad times but I'm sure I'll be able to handle it especially as I have a good team around me."
Manassero, competing this week for the first time since his Malaysian triumph, is juggling the demands of the tour with trying to complete his formal education.
"It's not easy to combine the two but I try," he said. "I want to finish my studies so I travel with my books and do my exams."
Manassero said that qualifying for next year's Ryder Cup near Chicago was in his thoughts.
"The Ryder Cup is far away ... (but) obviously it's on my mind," he explained.
"My present goal is to make the top 10 in the Race to Dubai," added Manassero who now holds 13th place on Europe's money-list.
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