Villegas (25), part of Colombia's most famous golfing family, is following the path blazed by Camilo Villegas (28), the pin-up boy of world golf.
Both men learned golf from their father, both attended the University of Florida, and both have tasted early success in their professional careers.
"We also live together, but we don't get to see each other a lot," Manny Villegas said.
"He's done great.
"I'm very proud of what he's done because it's not an easy job.
He's had a really successful career.
"I'm pretty young and I just want to get better."
The younger brother received a sponsor's invitation to play in the New Zealand Open at The Hills this week.
He hopes to do well enough this year to gain full playing rights on the Nationwide Tour.
A big moment for Villegas this year will be playing in the Bogota Open in Colombia in May.
It is the first time the Nationwide Tour has visited the country.
"That's going to be very big and important for the country and for the sport," he said.
"Golf is very small in Colombia.
"Where I'm from, there are four million people and only four golf courses.
"I heard there are four million people in New Zealand and 400 courses."
Villegas also kicked a round ball in football-mad Colombia and said he still wondered sometimes why he chose to take up golf.
Still, he has already won both the Colombian Open and the Colombian Masters, and his brother has two PGA Tour titles and two top-10 finishes in Major tournaments.
Villegas made a great start to his week in New Zealand when he won the morning session of the Open pro-am yesterday in a team including course owner Michael Hill.
