Matteo Manassero has recovered from being "beaten up" at the US Open to claim a share of the lead in the first round of the Dutch Open. Manassero came through a 36-hole qualifier to take his place in the field at Pinehurst last week, his first US Open since 2016 and a first major appearance since that year's British Open Championship. And although it proved an unhappy return to the game's biggest events for the 31-year-old Italian, he bounced straight back on Thursday with an opening seven-under-par 64 at The International course in Amsterdam to share top spot with Finland's Mikko Korhonen.
"On the weekend I was tired even though I didn't play," said Manassero, who carded a triple-bogey eight on his opening hole at Pinehurst and went on to miss the cut following rounds of 79 and 75. Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. "It's stressful in a good way because you put a lot of energy in to prepare for a US Open and then it beats you up and then you kind of have a drop in adrenaline.
"I was a little tired, but I'm really happy to be playing and glad I that I have tournaments coming up to be honest. The US Open was a really tough experience, but you need to take it for what it is and reset." Manassero certainly did that as he carded seven birdies and no bogeys in pursuit of a sixth European title, his fifth coming in March after a gap of almost 11 years.
"It was very, very satisfying," Manassero said. "It's a tough course so you need.
