Matteo Manassero earns praise from Ian Poulter

Italian Matteo Manassero launched himself into pole pos-ition for the European Tour 'Rookie of the Year' award with a joint runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open on Sunday, earning himself plaudits from champion Ian Poulter.

Poulter won the rookie award in 2000, and is tipping Manassero, 17, to become the first Italian recipient since its inception in 1960.

"It's incredible what Matteo has managed to achieve this year . . . and, while he's not a certainty, you look at how Rory (McIlroy) burst on the scene, and Matteo's exactly the same," said Poulter. "He's won a first Tour event, finished just a shot behind me in Hong Kong, so the kid is seriously good."

Manassero became the youngest Tour event winner at last month's Sergio Garcia-hosted Castello Masters. Garcia himself had been one of the youngest in winning his maiden European Tour event, the 1999 Irish Open as a 19-year-old, a success that saw the Spaniard crowned 'Rookie of the Year' later that year.

Manassero faces strong opposition for the coveted award from Welshman Rhys Davies, the England pair of John Parry and James Morrison , and Korean Seung-yul Noh.