INTERVIEW | STUART MANLEY
Stuart
Manley Jonathan Williams talks to the Welshman who thrilled the galleries at December’s Hong Kong Open on his way to finishing runner-up to Miguel Angel Jiménez.
It’s up …
Daniel Wong
We’re now a month on from the Hong Kong Open. You said at the time that you weren’t disappointed by the result – but has that changed at all now that you’ve had time to reflect? I’m still on a high when I think about the Hong Kong Open – I’m very proud of my performance that week. Going into the tournament my goal was to give [Miguel Angel] Jiménez a run for his money as he was the best player in the field, and I couldn’t be happier to make it into a play-off against him. The only negative I take from the week is missing out on my maiden win, which would have given me tournament entry exemptions for the next two years. 54
HK GOLFER・FEB 2014
Where does that chip-in for birdie on the last hole of regulation play rank in terms of your career moments, and how hard was it to gather your thoughts before the play-off following the excitement that had come before? The chip-in on t he last is one of t he highlights of my career … my head was spinning and my hands were shaking with adrenaline when I got to the tee for the playoff. The head of my rescue club became even smaller and I caught the ball high on the clubface, leaving me a long second shot to the green. I tried to play a high cut into the tight right pin position, but overdid it. In the end it was a superb putt from Miguel to win. HKGOLFER.COM
… and it’s in! Manley holes out for birdie on the final hole of regulation at the Hong Kong Open HKGOLFER.COM
HK GOLFER・FEB 2014
55
The chip-in on the last is one of the highlights of my career … my head was spinning and my hands were shaking with adrenaline when I got to the tee for the play-off.
Daniel Wong
Clockwise from top: Manley finished with a final-round 68, which earned him a cheque for US$112,910; a wry smile for Miguel Angel Jiménez after the Spaniard holed a brilliant putt on the first hole of the play-off; surveying a putt at Fanling 56
HK GOLFER・FEB 2014
You rose to prominence thanks to your performance at the World Cup in November, where you finished tied eighth in the individual standings. Your third round – where you started birdie, hole-in-one, 11 – was one of the more unusual 72s ever recorded. How did you deal with that wacky opening? The ace was pretty special – shame about the car though! [Manley thought he had won a Mercedes for the hole-in-one only to be told it was only up for grabs in the final round.] But the 11 on the next hole had nothing to do with the fine print for the hole-in-one prize. It was just a disaster hole that we all have once in a while. The main thing I take from that round is the way I gathered my thoughts to quickly get back into the tournament after that infamous 11, when all I really wanted to do was crawl under a rock. The banter from the Aussie crowd was pretty brutal but I think I gained a lot of respect from the galleries by my strong finish. Going back to earlier in your career, before you turned pro, you played in the victorious
Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team in 2003, where you went unbeaten. What are your memories from that event, and how big a step up was it when you joined the pro ranks? Playing in the Walker Cup team was certainly the highlight of my amateur career, especially getting the winning point to retain the cup. I loved being part of a golf team again – the atmosphere was superb playing in front of huge galleries. Hopefully I can make the Seve Trophy or even in the Ryder Cup in the future. It was a huge step up joining the pro ranks, but I was lucky to have fantastic support from my family and a good management team. I had generous sponsorship from the Welsh Sports Lottery Fund, which supported towards the end of my amateur career and also through Qualifying School. For some time it was difficult for me to actually believe I belonged [on tour]. I would find myself at tournaments or on the range in awe of the players around me, and it has taken a while to realise I can compete against the guys and deserve to be where I am today. What recommendations would you give to someone thinking about turning pro? Always believe in your ability, work hard, get good support and have big dreams! You’ve successfully gone through Q-School for the European Tour four times in the last HKGOLFER.COM
For some time it was difficult for me to actually believe I belonged [on tour]. I would find myself in awe of the players around me, and it has taken a while to realise I deserve to be where I am today. decade and played on the Challenge Tour in the years you didn’t make it. What do you put your great start to this season down to? I have been working with my coach, Neil Matthews at the Celtic Manor Resort, over the past three years to improve my technique. I have also been focusing on the psychological side to golf, which is equally important as a good swing. As a result my confidence has grown as my game has improved. Now I believe I can be competitive [on tour]. Which players did you particularly look up to when you turned pro? Like many young Welsh golfers at the time I was a huge fan of Ian Woosnam. He was such a tenacious player. In my later amateur career and early professional years I was mentored by Phillip Price. We are still very close friends today.
Cardiff City. But by the age of 16 I didn’t have a contract with either and realised there was no future for me in football. From there golf took over and I have no regrets. You’re a Cardiff City fan – will they stay up this season and what are your thoughts on the new manager? They’ll stay up in the Premiership but it will be by the skin of their teeth! It was a shame how the old manager [Malky Mackay] was treated, but the club is in good hands with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, providing he is allowed to manage without meddling from the directors’ box!
Is it true you had trials with Manchester United – and if so, was there ever a situation where you had to decide between golf and football? [Laughs]. Yes, that’s true. I had trials with them when I was a 12-year-old. I tried out as a right-back with Lee Sharp [who would go on to play 193 games for the club] but wasn’t selected. I signed for Swansea City for two or three years and then had a year with their rivals, HKGOLFER.COM
HK GOLFER・FEB 2014
57