The 38-year-old Cardiff fan, who as a youngster played against the former Newcastle and Liverpool striker as well as Michael Owen, quit a potential career in football after losing all enjoyment for the game.
Manley had trials with Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Luton as a 16-year-old, but felt there was too much pressure on him - although he has found himself in the spotlight again after shooting a two-under 68 to put his name on the Open leaderboard.
"Some people say I should have stayed (in football), but I deep down didn't believe I was good enough, nowhere near good enough," said the world number 520, who played for Swansea and Cardiff.
"Michael Owen, his position came up against my position, and Craig Bellamy a couple of times.
"I shouldn't really say it, but he (Bellamy) was a bit of a horrible git. He was nasty. I was centre-half and he was a striker. I gave him a few kicks and he wasn't happy.
"I didn't really enjoy it; I thought it was too much pressure. The enjoyment came out of. I think I was pushed into it too much.
"But I loved golf so much that I thought every time a game was cancelled I'd be like, 'Great, I can go practise, play golf with my friends'."
But, having turned professional as a golfer and not a footballer 14 years ago, this is his moment in the limelight and he is relishing it.
He qualified for Royal Birkdale after finishing joint runner-up in February at the Joburg Open, but has missed nine cuts in 10 events since then.
So to post the early clubhouse lead and have the likes of Ryder Cup star Ian Poulter and two-time major winner Jordan Spieth chasing him down was something of an experience for him.
"I didn't dream of it. I didn't think about it. I just thought post a decent score, give myself tomorrow for making the cut and have a good weekend," said Manley, who went out in the second group of the day at 6.46am and finished eagle-birdie after holing a bunker shot on the 17th.
"I didn't really dream I'd be sitting here and being the leader after round one - so far any way.
"I don't think it's sunk in. It probably will, right now I'm tired.
"I tried to go to bed early last night, but I was maybe too excited. I didn't get to sleep until quite late then.
"I have a baby, who is six months old. He woke up at 3am, but I woke up at four something and I just couldn't sleep.
"I rented a big four-bedroom house and my coach is is leaving today so his bed is available - I might just jump in there."
