Teenage prodigy Matteo Manassero, who has already won twice on the European Tour, says he owes a great deal to fellow Italians Francesco and Edoardo Molinari for the help they have given him in his short career.
"It's very good to have two top players in the world, and Ryder Cup players, that are close to you and come from the same country," the 18-year-old Manassero said in a news release.
"It is lucky for me. They have helped me a lot and are both good friends. They helped me settle into this (golfing) life which wasn't easy at the beginning.
"We often practice together and they give me help and advice because they have been playing on tour for five or six years now. So I owe them a lot," added Manassero.
The teenager became the youngest winner on the circuit when he lifted the Castello Masters title in Spain last year and he followed up that victory by winning the Malaysian Open earlier this month.
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Manassero is now looking to emulate the feat of compatriot Costantino Rocca by landing the PGA Championship crown at Wentworth at the end of May.
"It would be a great honour to follow Costantino as the second Italian to win the BMW PGA Championship," he said. "I was only three when he won so I don't remember it but I have seen his victory on video and know how important it was.
"The BMW PGA Championship is our flagship event on the European Tour and everyone wants to win it."
The Molinari brothers, who featured in the Ryder Cup triumph over the United States last October, want to make it a three-pronged Italian assault at Wentworth.
"To win there would be very special," said Francesco. "This is a very good time for Italian golf and we just have to keep playing well.
"Hopefully our success will inspire others in our country to take up the game."
Edoardo added: "It's always a pleasure to play at Wentworth because of the history there. Many great players have won (there), including Costantino, and it would be fantastic to follow in their footsteps."
The tour's flagship event starts on May 26.
