At just 19 years old, Matteo Manassero is quickly becoming one of the biggest stars in golf.

Manassero turned pro in 2010. Now, just shy of his three-year anniversary with pro golf, he has the experience and poise of a veteran.

The 2013 Masters will mark Manassero’s eighth major championship start, and first start as a professional at Augusta. But he’s done much more than just show up to his tee times in majors. In seven starts, he’s made the cut in five times.

At his debut at Augusta as a 16-year-old in 2010, which broke Bobby Cole’s record of youngest competitor by two years, he finishing tied for 36th and earned Low Amateur honors.

Since turning pro, Manassero has captured three European Tour victories and has risen as high as 29th in the Official World Golf Ranking. And there have been significant improvements in Manassero’s game over the last three years, one of the most important being his increase in strength.

“I’ve improved my strength and physique a lot and gained a bit of yardage,” he said. “A higher ball flight and the bit of yardage that I’ve put on will certainly help me in courses like Augusta.”

Manassero says the most important improvement in his game however, has been improved putting from within 9 feet. Though Manassero has refined his short game, it has been something else that has caught the attention of fellow Italian Francesco Mollinari.

“Matteo’s short game has always been really good from the time he turned pro, but his long game has really improved and is a lot more consistent now,” Mollinari said.

Manassero’s record as the youngest player to tee it up in the Masters will be broken this week by 14-year-old Tianlang Guan, who earned a spot in the field by winning the Asian-Pacific Amateur.

“You obviously have to congratulate him it’s been amazing what he has done winning the Asian Amateur,” Manassero said. “My advice to him is simple: He needs to enjoy every minute of it; he’s just playing for fun, there is not much he can lose. It’s important that he tries to take in all the memories and experiences that he will have.”

Manassero will return to Augusta National Golf Club capable of winning. He will be able to draw from such experience as defeating Louis Oosthuizen at the 2012 Barclays Singapore with an eagle on the third playoff hole.

But Mollinari cautioned that Manassero is still young enough to fail.

“Matteo is just 19 years old and certainly has a long time to achieve his goals,” Mollinari said.

Despite that, Mollinari believes Manassero’s game is “good enough to win a major championship right now.”

The Manassero File:

Age: 19 (born April 19, 1993)
Birthplace: Negrar, Italy

Career Highlights:

• 3 European Tour Victories
• 2010 European Tour Rookie of the Year
• 2010 Low Amateur at The Masters (T36)
• 2009 British Amateur Champion
• 2009 Open Champion Low Amateur (T13)