Manassero to make up for Masters absence in Sicilian Open

As the Sicilian Open nears its tee off at the Verdura Golf and Spa Club for the second year running, Matteo Manassero is 7/1 favourite to claim a European Tour win at a course situated in his native Italy.

It is somewhat difficult to gauge whose type of game will be most suited to the course, as it will be the first time most of the field of competitors have participated at it, though perilously deep bunkers appear the most notable, and potentially troublesome, feature of the course.

With that in mind though, recent form could play a big part in choosing a victor, and Manassero’s recent second and sixth place European Tour finishes suggest he will be there or thereabouts, particularly as the Sicilian crowd is expected to be firmly behind him.

Still only 18, Manassero will be determined to make up for his absence from the upcoming Masters tournament by landing a first European Tour success, and he will only need to improve slightly on his Trophee Hassan II performance of last week if he is to achieve this feat.

Indeed, the prodigal talent has outlined his belief that a victory in this tournament would more than make up for his lack of participation in Augusta, and it could pay dividends to back him at 7/1 for a maiden Tour win.

His nearest challenger in the betting is Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, who has pedigree in European Tour events after claiming the 2011 China Open, and is a 10/1 shot for success here.

Meanwhile, patriotic punters could wish to invest in the 20/1 odds about a Robert Coles victory in Sicily.

The 39-year-old Englishman played some tremendous golf en route to a joint-third place finish in last week’s Moroccan Tour event, and he has definite each-way appeal at that lengthy 20/1 here.

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