CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland - Italian teenager Matteo Manassero shot a bogey-free 7-under 64 Thursday to take the early lead in the first round of the European Masters.
Starting on the 10th tee, Manassero was 3-under for his first 10 holes before a 25-foot birdie on the third green sparked him to play his last seven holes at 4-under.
Three players, Steve Webster, Robert Coles and Chapchai Nirat, trailed Manassero by two strokes. Another five were a further stroke behind at 67, including Miguel Angel Jimenez, who continued the good form that saw him clinch his fourth Ryder Cup appearance last weekend, and Darren Clarke, who will be European vice-captain at Celtic Manor next month.
Manassero, a 17-year-old Italian high school student who has yet to earn his European playing card for 2011, turned professional in May and is allowed a maximum seven sponsors invites in which to finish in the top 115 of the European money list. If he fails, he will have to attend tour school in Spain in December.
Early in the day, Mikael Lundberg (69) had led at 5-under after just four holes with a hole-in-one at the 191-yard par-3 third hole. The ace earned the Swede a gold bar.