Matteo Manassero came up a handful of shots shy of a Masters berth on Sunday, finishing five shots behind Ulsterman Michael Hoey at the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco. Manassero shot a final round of even-par 72 to finish in a tie for sixth place.
The Italian needed to win the tournament to qualify for a trip to Augusta National by getting inside the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking.
After completing a third-round 65 on Sunday morning, Manassero shared the lead with Irishman Damien McGrane. Trailing by two entering the final round, Hoey closed with 65 at Golf du Palais Royal to win for the fourth time on the European Tour.
Robert Rock was the other player in the field who could have earned a trip to the Masters with a win, but he missed the cut by a shot.
With Manassero falling short of the win he needed, Ernie Els can finish in third alone at the Arnold Palmer Invitational to crack the OWGR top 50 and continue a streak of Masters starts dating back to 1994.
Related Articles
Waiting game: Manassero one off the lead
by Associated Press | Mar 24, 2012 7:07 PM ETItalian teenager Matteo Manassero stayed in the running for the Masters by moving to within a stroke of the leader before darkness halted play Saturday in the third round of the Hassan II Trophy. Read More
Manassero's Masters bid alive in Morocco
by Associated Press | Mar 23, 2012 4:50 PM ETWelshman Phillip Price is on track to end a nine-year winless drought after taking a one-stroke lead in the weather-affected Hassan II Trophy in Morocco on Friday. Read More
Manassero's last chance for Masters
by Ryan Ballengee | Mar 22, 2012 5:01 PM ETMatteo Manassero trails Damien McGrane by four shots after the first round of the Trophee Hassan II. Manassero must win in order to qualify for the Masters. Read More
Ballengee is a GolfChannel.com contributor who writes for GTC and Fantasy Insider.
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