{"id":11009,"date":"2023-06-28T14:13:46","date_gmt":"2023-06-28T14:13:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/stuart-manley-the-one-time-manchester-united-trialist-with-sights-on-dp-world-tour-return\/"},"modified":"2023-06-28T14:13:47","modified_gmt":"2023-06-28T14:13:47","slug":"stuart-manley-the-one-time-manchester-united-trialist-with-sights-on-dp-world-tour-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/stuart-manley-the-one-time-manchester-united-trialist-with-sights-on-dp-world-tour-return\/","title":{"rendered":"Stuart Manley: The one-time Manchester United trialist with sights on DP World Tour return"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1\">\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media story-body__media--lead\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$video-1\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0.0\"><noscript data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$video-1.0.0.1\"\/><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--video\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$video-1.1\">Stuart Manley: &#8216;I have to be careful my clothing isn&#8217;t too tight!&#8217;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p role=\"introduction\" class=\"qa-introduction gel-pica-bold\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-2\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-2.0\">Welsh golfer Stuart Manley was on the books of Cardiff City and Swansea City as a youngster and once had a trial at Manchester United. <\/span><\/p>\n<div data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3\">\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3.0\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-3.0.0\">But as he battles to regain a place on the DP World Tour, he says failing to make it in football was the &#8220;best thing that happened to me&#8221;.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4.0\">At 44, Manley has played almost 250 events on the DP World Tour &#8211; formerly known as the European Tour &#8211; having held a card at the top level of European golf on eight occasions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-5.0\">Currently playing on the second-tier Challenge Tour, Manley took a huge stride towards reclaiming a DP World Tour place next season thanks to victory at the Open de Bretagne last weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6.0\">&#8220;It&#8217;s been an average start to the season,&#8221; Manley tells BBC Sport Wales.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-7.0\">&#8220;But [the victory] elevates me now in the order of merit to get that golden ticket back to the DP World Tour, so I am very pleased.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-8\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-8.0\">Manley, who lives in Aberdare, has been a professional golfer for two decades.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-9\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-9.0\">When he was a teenager, it seemed he might be set for a career in football.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-10.0\">&#8220;I went away and had a trial at [Manchester] United and I went up to Luton quite a few times,&#8221; Manley says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-11\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-11.0\">&#8220;I also played for Cardiff and Swansea for a couple of seasons, around under-15 level.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-12\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-12.0\">&#8220;But I wasn&#8217;t good enough. When I didn&#8217;t get a YTS contract, that was probably the best thing that happened to me because I could really knuckle down in school and in golf.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-13\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-13.0\">&#8220;Golf was always my love so I threw myself into that. I did my A-levels, went away to America to do the golf scholarship and my golf blossomed from there.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$image-14\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$image-14.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$image-14.0.0\"><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--image\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$image-14.1\">Though he made his career in golf rather than football, Stuart Manley is a regular at the Cardiff City Stadium as he comes from a family of Bluebirds fans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-15\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-15.0\">A Walker Cup winner in 2003, Manley turned professional later that year and quickly secured a first European Tour card via qualifying school.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-16\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-16.0\">He has progressed through qualifying school on six occasions in all, as well as booking a DP World Tour place twice through his performances on the Challenge Tour.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-17\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-17.0\">The frustration for Manley has been failing to keep hold of a place at European golf&#8217;s top table.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-18.0\">&#8220;I know I can compete out there,&#8221; he says, &#8220;but I haven&#8217;t done it consistently enough.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-19\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-19.0\">As a result, Manley is among of number of Welsh golfers battling it out on this year&#8217;s Challenge Tour, where finishing in the top 20 come the end of the season will secure a DP World Tour place in 2024.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/golf\/66015299\" class=\"story-body__internal-link\" title=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.$link-1\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.$link-1.0\">Manley&#8217;s win in Brittany<\/span><\/a><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-20.2\"> &#8211; his first since 2021 and the fourth of his career on the Challenge Tour &#8211; saw him jump from 53rd in the rankings to 14th.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-21\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-21.0\">He put himself on course for victory thanks to a second round of 62, the lowest &#8211; as far as he can remember &#8211; of his tour career.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-22\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-22.0\">&#8220;To do that at 44, to still mix it with the youngsters, feels great,&#8221; Manley says. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-23.0\">&#8220;I was chuffed to bits especially as the course was very tough, which made it even more pleasing.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-24.0\">He came through to win despite struggling for his best form over the weekend, with a 15-foot birdie putt on the final hole securing a two-shot triumph over Lee Slattery and Manuel Elvira.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-25.0\">There was time for a quiet celebration on Sunday evening, beforecfocus very quickly turned to this week&#8217;s Challenge Tour event, which also takes place in France.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-26\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-26.0\">Manley will then return home to try to claim a place at next month&#8217;s Open Championship, via a 36-hole qualifying event taking place at Royal Porthcawl on Tuesday, 4 July.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-27\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-27.0\">He has played in only one major, the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-28\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-28.0\">&#8220;I loved the Open,&#8221; Manley says. &#8220;I just want to get back there.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"gs-u-mt0 gs-u-mb-alt+ story-body__media story-body__media--figure qa-story-body-media\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$image-29\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block story-body__media\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$image-29.0\"><span class=\"gs-u-display-block gs-o-responsive-image\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%;\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$image-29.0.0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/F53C\/production\/_130208726_gettyimages-1501754580.jpg\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 800px, (min-width: 900px) 624px, (min-width: 600px) 976px, (min-width: 400px) 624px, 400px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/400\/cpsprodpb\/F53C\/production\/_130208726_gettyimages-1501754580.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/624\/cpsprodpb\/F53C\/production\/_130208726_gettyimages-1501754580.jpg 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/800\/cpsprodpb\/F53C\/production\/_130208726_gettyimages-1501754580.jpg 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/onesport\/cps\/976\/cpsprodpb\/F53C\/production\/_130208726_gettyimages-1501754580.jpg 976w\" alt=\"Stuart Manley lifts the Open de Bretagne trophy\" class=\"qa-srcset-image\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$image-29.0.0.0\"\/><\/span><\/span><figcaption class=\"gel-brevier gs-u-ph+ gs-u-pv-alt story-body__media__caption story-body__media__caption--image\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$image-29.1\">Stuart Manley&#8217;s Open de Bretagne victory lifted him to 614th in golf&#8217;s world rankings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-30\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-30.0\">The priority, however, is the Challenge Tour, meaning Manley will be travelling again straight after Porthcawl to take part in the Italian Challenge Open.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-31\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-31.0\">He plans to play most of the remaining events this year, with more ranking points required to cement a top-20 place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-32\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-32.0\">Manley says professional golf becomes harder on the body as the years go by, with stretching routines a necessity before he swings a club these days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-33\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-33.0\">But the desire to be in contention during the back nine on a Sunday remains as fierce as ever. <\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-34\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-34.0\">&#8220;You are aching a lot more than you used to,&#8221; Manley says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-35\"><span data-reactid=\".103g5kw6j2c.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-35.0\">&#8220;But I wouldn&#8217;t do anything else. I still get the buzz every week &#8211; I can&#8217;t wait to compete.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/sport\/golf\/66020708?at_medium=RSS&#038;at_campaign=KARANGA\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stuart Manley: &#8216;I have to be careful my clothing isn&#8217;t too tight!&#8217; Welsh golfer Stuart Manley was on the books of Cardiff City and Swansea City as a youngster and once had a trial at Manchester United. But as he battles to regain a place on the DP World Tour, he says failing to make [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11010,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11009"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11009"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11009\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11011,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11009\/revisions\/11011"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11010"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11009"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11009"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/sport\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11009"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}