What would you give up...

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mgranato

mgranato

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... to turn pro?

Kelly Kraft, the reigning US Amateur Champion, opted to forfiet his two exemptions into this year's US Open and Open Championships by turning pro the Monday following the Masters. In 2008, Colt Knost turned pro before the Masters thereby forfieting his Masters invite along with his two Open exemptions. To date I don't believe Knost hast played in any of the professional majors, he certainly hasn't sniffed making the Masters' field.

I'm all for players turning professional "early" in other sports, but golf is fairly unique. I can't imagine turning down a formal invite to play in the Masters (or any other form of invite to play Augusta National). The two Opens can be qualified for, but that's quite a gauntlet and a far cry from having two exemptions in hand.

You're an amateur golf who fully intends to make golf his profession. In your hand you hold the "Golden Ticket" to 3 of the 4 professional majors... what would you do?
 
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puttmaster

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I would take the long-term view - punch the Golden Tickets and play those events as an amateur. Prepping for those three majors, and the likely course set up for each one, could pay even larger dividends than turning pro earlier.
 
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Kevin Shields

Super Moderator
These guys turn pro because their stock is at its highest at the time of the Amateur wins. If they wait to play in the Masters, two things. Out of sight, out of mind for sponsors. Also, the only thing they have to play in is the ultra expensive amateur circuit, which they have a chance of playing poorly and losing that mojo. Think Matt Leinert.

Kelly Kraft is likely to get a few Tour exemptions. If he waits, those are out the window cuz there will be another hotshot there to take them.
 
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ms1170

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If I was done with college, I would turn pro. Use your sponsor exemptions, go to tour school and get it going! Look at Bud Cauley and Harris English from just this past year. If they had been in Kelly Kraft's position they may have waited, instead they have tour cards, money in the bank and the experience of playing a dozen or so tournaments.
 
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Lindsey Newman

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I am taking the invite to the Masters at the very least. Being able to say you played in the Masters or Open Championship are things that cannot be replaced.
 
Matt 4-L

Matt 4-L

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Everytime I see Colt Knost's name in a tournament I think this guy turned down an invite to the Masters. No doubt there is a huge conundrum but I think I would also take atleast the Masters invite.
 
mgranato

mgranato

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Lindsey Newman said:
I am taking the invite to the Masters at the very least. Being able to say you played in the Masters or Open Championship are things that cannot be replaced.
Click to expand...

I have to say, this is where I'm leaning also. The Masters is early in the season so it's a no brainer. The Open would be my favorite of the remaing three and I absolutely LOVE true links golf. The solution seems obvious... sell the US Open exemption on Ebay. The proceeds from that should fund the rest of the amateur golf up to the Open.
 
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cwdlaw223

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I would play as an amateur. If you play well your stock might go even higher (although it's likely to go south). There's so much extra money on tour that you won't go hungry.
 
ZAP

ZAP

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I am with Kevin on this one. Sponsors are your lifeline early on while you are learning how to play on tour I think. (wish I knew)
You would have to strike while the iron is hot and you are getting offers from people. It would be tough to turn down the Masters though knowing the possibility that you may never get the chance again.

Can you say coin flip?:cool:
 
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DCgolf

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If you have the confidence to turn pro, you should believe you'll get to the Majors as a pro. If you're thinking this might be your only shot, you shouldn't turn pro.
 
jimmyt

jimmyt

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I know tradition is important......however making a living has to be #1 priority. The life of a an aspiring tour pro is not very glamorous.

Even after you get your card and begin your journey you need to make nearly $1,000,000 a year now to keep your card.

All sports have traditions, however I've seen to many people pass on thier one shot and for any of a million reason lose that shot forever.

Sorry take the sure thing for an opportunity to earn my way to the Masters
 
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ekennedy

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Golf is the fairest and purest of all professional sports. You don't get anywhere with your resume. True competitors don't care about "the experience." They play to win and they want to play against the best.

If you want to play golf for a living, go play. Your game will ultimately dictate what tour you should be on or what insurance you will be selling.
 
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Nitro7

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Kevin Shields said:
Kelly Kraft is likely to get a few Tour exemptions. If he waits, those are out the window cuz there will be another hotshot there to take them.
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Very true.

Presently Kraft can accept 7 sponsor exemptions. If he can earn enough money ($670k?) that equals
last years 125 money list amount, he then can accept unlimited sponsor exemptions for the remainder
of the year. He wants a PGA Tour card without messing around with Q-School and/or Nationwide Tour.
Bottom line...get full exempt status on the PGA Tour asap.
 
K

Kevin Shields

Super Moderator
If you win the US Amateur after a stellar am career, there's no way I would advise anyone to wait until after the Masters. No way.
 
Matt 4-L

Matt 4-L

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It would be interesting to look up maybe the last 15 to 20 US amateur winners and see who skipped the Masters and who didn't and see where their careers have gone. Maybe if I get some time on my hands I may do that.
 
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Nitro7

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Matt F. said:
It would be interesting to look up maybe the last 15 to 20 US amateur winners and see who skipped the Masters and who didn't and see where their careers have gone. Maybe if I get some time on my hands I may do that.
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The last 15 US Am Champs and if they played in the following year Masters and their finish.

2011 -- Kelly Kraft -- Yes 62nd
2010 -- Peter Ulhlein -- Yes MC
2009 -- Byeong-Hub An -- Yes MC
2008 -- Danny Lee -- Yes MC
2007 -- Colt Knost -- No
2006 -- Richie Ramsay -- Yes MC
2005 -- Edoardo Molinari -- Yes MC
2004 -- Ryan Moore -- Yes T13
2003 -- Nick Flanagan -- Yes MC
2002 -- Ricky Barnes -- Yes 21st
2001 -- Bubba Dickerson -- Yes MC
2000 -- Jeff Quinney -- Yes MC
1999 -- David Gossett -- Yes T54
1998 -- Hank Kuehne -- Yes MC
1997 -- Matt Kuchar -- Yes T21
 
Matt 4-L

Matt 4-L

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Nitro7 said:
The last 15 US Am Champs and if they played in the following year Masters and their finish.

2011 -- Kelly Kraft -- Yes 62nd
2010 -- Peter Ulhlein -- Yes MC
2009 -- Byeong-Hub An -- Yes MC
2008 -- Danny Lee -- Yes MC
2007 -- Colt Knost -- No
2006 -- Richie Ramsay -- Yes MC
2005 -- Edoardo Molinari -- Yes MC
2004 -- Ryan Moore -- Yes T13
2003 -- Nick Flanagan -- Yes MC
2002 -- Ricky Barnes -- Yes 21st
2001 -- Bubba Dickerson -- Yes MC
2000 -- Jeff Quinney -- Yes MC
1999 -- David Gossett -- Yes T54
1998 -- Hank Kuehne -- Yes MC
1997 -- Matt Kuchar -- Yes T21
Click to expand...

Thanks Nitro, I am surprised to see only Colt Knost skipped the Masters, I thought there would be more.
 
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