THE 153RD OPEN

July 17, 2025

Matteo Manassero

Mixed Zone

Q. Seemed like you got a bit of everything conditions-wise out there. How was it?

MATTEO MANASSERO: Well, as expected today, we knew we were going to get some rain, and the wind was going to be there, like enough wind to having to judge it. It wasn't easy. I guess I didn't make it any easier. I didn't play really good, and I did some wrong decisions here and there. But anyway, the back nine were better.

This morning, if you play well, you can score. You can shoot 3-, 4-under par, also depending on the conditions, but I mean in conditions like today.

Stay positive, tomorrow I have another round, and we'll see how it goes.

Q. What's the hardest part about playing in the rain when it's like it was earlier?

MATTEO MANASSERO: Sometimes it's difficult to control the speed on the ball. Especially with driver, it can come out of it sideways. Obviously you've got a lot more going on, the umbrella and drying the grips and you're not maybe able to do as good of a process into the shot as if it was sunny or anywhere you would have the umbrella out.

Q. Seems like the 1st hole is causing a lot of trouble. I think it's ranked third or fourth hardest. It looks quite straightforward, but what is it that makes it difficult?

MATTEO MANASSERO: I think most of the guys laid up before the bunkers, and it leaves you more than 180 yards to an elevated green with a lot of bounce on it. It's not easy to -- and that's having hit a good tee shot. It's not easy, and it's the first hole. The first hole is always not quite into the round as much, very sharp with understanding the bounces and everything. I guess that's something about it. It's just a hard hole. It's not that easy.

Q. Then the second shot, you're obviously playing uphill; that's maybe quite challenging for the first approach shot of the day?

MATTEO MANASSERO: Yeah, it's just challenging because it's quite long. Today was, I guess, not even that hard of a pin. It can play even harder, I guess. It's a tough hole.

Q. What are your expectations for the rest of the week? It must be good for you playing back at this level.

MATTEO MANASSERO: Yeah, it's good. I'm happy to be here. Obviously the expectations are always high. We try to do our best. We work hard for it, so expectations are always high. I'm not playing my best golf right now at this moment, so I'll have to practise a little bit, see if tomorrow feels a little bit better and get the round going and see. I'll take it day by day, but even more so really shot after shot because it's not so much under my control.