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No. 4 Matteo Manassero
We’re going with a little home cooking here in Italy this week at the Rocco Forte Open. The 24-year old four-time winner hasn’t won since 2013 but he’s A) still only 24! and B) trending upward with six straight made cuts and nine in his last 10 that include a T3 at the Indian Open.
He still isn’t piping the ball at 282.2 yards average off the tee in 2017, but it is his highest mark in a season to date, as his greens in regulation (76.85 percent).
In a field absent a top-50 player, there really is no clear cut favorite. Why not ride with the home hero? Manassero isn’t the first Italian I’m going with in my top five.