Last year’s captain, Montgomerie, tipped the 18-year-old to represent Jose Maria Olazabal’s side at the Medinah Country Club in Chicago.

"I'd expect him to make it," said Montgomerie of Manassero who since the start of last season has moved up from 570th in the world to 30th.

Olazabal is entitled to two wildcard selections, in addition to those who are automatically selected, and he is confident the European stars will "peak at the right times". 

"I'm excited the qualification period is starting. It will be interesting to see how the players perform," said Olazabal before the start of the first qualifying event. 

At 19 years and eight months Sergio Garcia holds the record as the youngest player to compete at the Ryder Cup. Manassero would be 19 and five months should he be picked. 

“I've thought about it, obviously," said Manassero. 

"I'm seeing improvements in my game, I'm hitting the ball further and I will try and play well."

But the Italian teenager still credits the 2010 Omega European Masters, where he came third, as the most significant week of his fledgling career to date.

“You could say everything started from here.  It was a big boost of confidence for me and I thought I could go on to do even better. 

“I never expected to come back here a year on and have achieved what I have though.  Finishing third here and the year I went on to have has really changed my life.”