Seventeen-year-old Titleist Brand Ambassador Matteo Manassero was named the PGA European Tour’s Rookie of the Year this week after a record-breaking season in which he became the youngest player ever to win a European Tour event.

Manassero officially launched his professional career in May at the BMW Italian Open, also making his debut as the newest Titleist Brand Ambassador.

Just a few months later, Matteo captured his maiden victory, trusting his Pro V1x golf ball and a full bag of Titleist clubs to record a four-shot win at the Castello Masters.

He was 17 years and 188 days old at the time of the achievement, eclipsing the previous record set by New Zealand’s Danny Lee, who won the 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic at the age of 18 years and 213 days. At the same time, Matteo surpassed the legendary Seve Ballesteros (17 years and 200 days) as the youngest player to become a full European Tour Member.

“It is a big honor to win the Rookie of the Year award,” said Manassero, currently ranked 59th in the world. “I never expected to win on tour so quickly and to win the Rookie of the Year Award is a perfect way to end my first season as a professional. It is such a special award because you only get one chance to win it so it is a great honor."

Matteo's arrival on the professional circuit was preceded by a brief but distinguished amateur career that included a victory at last year's British Amateur Championship as well as low amateur honors at both the 2009 Open Championship (he tied for 13th at Tunberry) and the 2010 Masters Tournament (tied for 36th), where he became the youngest player ever to compete and make the 36-hole cut at Augusta National.
 
Manassero earned €890,401 ($1.17 million) in 2010 to finish in 31st place in the European Tour's Race to Dubai. He was a cumulative 73-under par for 54 rounds, and only posted seven rounds worse than 72.

Here's a closer look at Matteo Manassero's Titleist equipment:

Golf Ball: Pro V1x
Driver: 910D2 9.5, SFT Setting A∙1 (Graphite Tour Issue 7 X, 45")
Fairway: 909F2 13.5 (Graphite Tour Issue 7 X, 43")
Hybrids: 909H 17.0 & 21.0 (Graphite Tour Issue Hybrid X, 41")
Irons (3-PW): AP2 (Precision Project X 5.5*)
Wedge: Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C 252-08 (Precision Project X 5.5*)
Wedge: Vokey Design Spin Milled C-C TVD 58 (Precision Project X 5.5*)
Putter: Scotty Cameron Tour Newport Select w/ Xperimental Black Finish
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet (.580" round, 1 extra wrap, logo underneath)

*All irons and wedges standard loft and length, 1° flat lie angle