Matteo Manassero is back in the spotlight! At the halfway point of the Amgen Irish Open, Manassero decided to give everyone a masterclass on how to shake up a leaderboard.
The 31-year-old Italian hotshot fired a blistering 66 in his second round, finishing at six under par, and reminding everyone that heโs still got plenty of magic left in those hands.
Hot on his heels are the English duo of Laurie Canter and Todd Clements, both just a single stroke behind.
And letโs not forget the big guns who are lurking just a little further backโfour-time Major winner Rory McIlroy, Spainโs Alejandro Del Rey, and Scotlandโs Ewen Ferguson are all sitting pretty at four under par.
Itโs a crowded field, and you just know someoneโs going to throw a spanner in the works before this is over.
A Rollercoaster Start for Manassero
Manassero wasted no time making his intentions clear. He launched his round like a man on a mission, taking full advantage of the par-five first with a rocket of a second shot from 226 yards that cosied up to seven feet. One Eagle later, and you could see that twinkle in his eye. The fun was just beginning.
He rolled in back-to-back birdies on the second and third, sinking putts from 15 and 32 feet that made you wonder if he was playing with a putter or a magic wand. By then, he’d caught up with the leaders.
But, like any good story, there was a twistโa wayward tee shot on the fourth led to a dropped shot, proving that even the smoothest rides can have a few bumps.
But the Italian wasnโt done yet. An 18-footer for birdie on the next hole got him back into a share of the lead, and then he decided to drop the mic with a second eagle on the par-five 12th.
After a stunning 216-yard approach, he had a tap-in to seal it. And while another wayward tee shot on the 13th shaved his lead down, he held his nerve and parred his way home. If you’re a fan of grit, determination, and a little flair, Manassero was your man today.
Itโs hard to forget that Manasseroโs journey to this point hasnโt been a walk in the park.
After winning the Jonsson Workwear Open in Marchโhis first victory in nearly 11 yearsโthe young man who once became the youngest player to win the BMW PGA Championship at 20 seems to be writing another thrilling chapter of his career.
Matteo Manassero: I played really well. I’m so happy of how I handled myself in difficult conditions this afternoon. So really, really good. I mean, there’s not much you can do. You have to hit good shots and the way the golf course is, you need to start it on the right place with the right trajectory, the right shape. Otherwise it’s just not good enough. So I’m really happy the way I’ve played and obviously with the score.
Links golf makes you hit really difficult shots. Everything has that to be right but there needs to be a lot of instinct because you can’t really make or add everything up before the shot and then execute it. It needs to be a little bit of both, seeing it and doing it.
McIlroy Keeps It Interesting
Ah, Rory McIlroy. The local lad from Holywood always draws a crowd, and he didnโt disappoint.
The World Number Three lit up his second round with a highlight reel of his ownโan eight-iron approach to 15 feet on the par-five first, his tenth hole of the day, set up an eagle that got the home crowd buzzing.
But golf is a game of fine margins, and McIlroy couldnโt quite keep the momentum going, covering his final eight holes in one over to finish two shots off the lead at four under par.
Heโs still right there in the mix, and you just know heโs got a few tricks up his sleeve for the weekend.
Sharma’s Record-Tying Round and More
Shubhankar Sharma decided to join the party too, tying the course record with a sizzling six-under-par 65.
That round put him right in contention at two under par, alongside a bunch of other players whoโll be fancying their chances.
And donโt overlook the fact that thereโs still a logjam of players at three under, all itching to make their move.
With the way things are shaping up, Saturday and Sunday could be absolute barnburners.
A Good Cause for a Great Game
While the players were busy trading birdies and eagles, there was something even more special happening off the course.
The Amgen Irish Open isnโt just about the drama on the greens; itโs also about making a difference.
Day two saw an additional ยฃ45,200 raised for Make-A-Wish Ireland, bringing the total for the first two days to a heartwarming ยฃ76,800.
Thanks to the 84 birdies and 17 eagles recorded on the par-five first, and the help from Irish favourites like Pรกdraig Harrington, Shane Lowry, and Sรฉamus Power, it was a reminder of how sport can bring people together for a greater cause.
The Weekend Ahead
So here we are, folks. The Amgen Irish Open heads into the weekend with a stacked leaderboard and no shortage of storylines. Can Manassero continue his resurgence?
Will McIlroy find that extra gear and win one on home turf? Or will someone else step up and steal the show?
Whatever happens, itโs going to be a wild rideโso donโt even think about blinking.
