Manassero recaptures his youth in Saudi International

Former prodigy Matteo Manassero rediscovered his best form as he shot 62 on Thursday in the opening round of the Saudi International, while a current rising teen, Kim Joo-hyung, was in the chasing pack.

Manassero shot six birdies as he completed the outward nine in six-under-par 29. He made two more birdies on the way home in his bogey-free round to lead by two from his closest pursuers in a star-studded field in the $5 million tournament.

"It was one of those days in which everything was going my way," said the 28-year-old Italian.

"I was playing really solid, giving myself a lot of birdie chances, a lot of really short ones, as well. So just got the round going and just felt comfortable. That's the right word, I guess."

Manassero was just 17 years and 188 days old when he won the Castello Masters in 2010, becoming the youngest winner in European Tour history. He had won four titles by the age of 20, but his only victory since 2013 came on the third-tier Alps Tour in 2020.

He played last season on the Challenge Tour and entered this week's event ranked 395th in the world.

"I'm excited," he said. "I'm curious to see what 2022 has for me.

"I worked really well and I'm happy with the work I've done. There's going to be some lows, there's going to be some ups, but I'm ready for it and (will) see what happens.

"I feel I am very close to everything coming together. Maybe I need to work more on my fitness and consistency, but everything feels good. It's a good start and I am excited to start the season this way."

The event is on the Asian Tour, but the money on offer has drawn golfers from the other tours.

The group of five two shots off the lead was made up of two Americans, Bubba Watson and Harold Varner III, Englishman Sam Horsfield,