Matteo Manassero’s golf journey has witnessed many ups and downs. After becoming the youngest-ever winner of the BMW PGA Championship back in 2013, he encountered an unfortunate accident. The golfer’s career also took a turn, not because of injury but for other reasons instead.

It happened during the 2013 KLM Open, shortly after he had won the BMW PGA Championship. At the time, he was ranked 30th and was the highest-ranked player in the KLM field. Then, unexpectedly, it started raining, and while driving back to the hotel after having dinner at a local Zandvoort restaurant, he tripped over a small bollard.

Manassero suffered damage to his elbows and knees and badly scratched an expensive sponsor’s wristwatch. Luckily, it didn’t lead to permanent damage, and the golfer talked about it, saying, “I was very lucky I didn’t injure myself any worse.” Despite that, he was in great pain and further said, “My knees were hurting a lot towards the end of my round, and that’s why I went straight to the physio van for more treatment.” 

Later, he also admitted to the fall, saying, “It was just one of those things. I was running to try and get out of the rain but didn’t see this object on the ground,” as revealed on the Golf by Tour Miss website. Lastly, he also acknowledged that, despite the injury, he was fine. While the injury wasn’t severe enough to end his career, it still led to a significant decline after 2013.

What happened to Matteo Manassero’s career after 2013?

Matteo Manassero won the 2013 BMW PGA Championship with a birdie at the fourth extra hole of a playoff against Simon Khan and Marc Warren. After this, the Italian golfer didn’t win any tournaments for the next seven years. In 2014, he had only one top-10 finish and missed 16 cuts in 22 starts in 2015. Things didn’t change much in 2016, as he made 27 starts and missed 15 cuts.

Finally, in 2023, Matteo Manassero will open the Toscana Open on the Alps Tour. Fast forward to 2023; he also won the Copenhagen Challenge and Italian Challenge Open, which helped him regain his DPWT card. In 2024, the golfer won the Jonsson Workwear Open in March and was extremely happy about this comeback and said, “It has been a crazy journey over the last couple of years. I knew I was getting on the right track, but then you never know when this happens.” 

Not only that, in the final round of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship, when he gained the lead, Rory McIlroy appreciated him. “It’s unbelievable. I don’t think you would find one player on tour who isn’t so happy for him. To be a young phenom and then lose your game and go play the Alps Tour… the character that you need to do that,” and lastly concluded with “He’s such a nice guy, level-headed, and good to see him back to where he belongs,” as revealed on the guardian.

Do you think Matteo Manassero can win his second BMW PGA Championship? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!