Colt Knost- dumb? Smart?

[black knight]

Could he not play in the Masters as an am, then turn pro after and be just as good off (if not better for the Masters' experience)?

[Butcho22]

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Could he not play in the Masters as an am, then turn pro after and be just as good off (if not better for the Masters' experience)?

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Sure, but he's probably less likely to get exemptions after the Masters because those tournaments are going to be full field events.

This way he gets to play 7 events with softer fields (lol) which gives him an outside shot at playing his way on tour without Q-school.

[FireStorm]

He can apparently hang with the big boys enough to envision possible top 125 this year, and a decent number of exemptions next year. Two events since turning pro, two cuts made.

[esad]

He's only made $27,483 in two tournaments. He has to make about another $700,000 more to qualify in the top 125. He's going to need to high place finishes to get there. I imagine he'll likely go to Q-School and try to get his card that way.

I also remember hearing that his family doesn't have very much money so for him it was a question of paying his own way. It's expensive to go and play in the majors as an amateur.

[Spy Dog]

I dunno. He's got a small chance of qualifying thru his 7 exemptions (maybe 10%). If he fails then he has to go thru 3 stages of Q-School where he probably has a 40% shot of making it.

I guess a lot depends on how much guaranteed endorsement money he was offered. If he got 500k+ in deals then I don't mind his decision as it lets him grind out a couple of years in Monday qualifiers on the Nationwide in case he fails to get his card.

Personally, I would stay amateur. As reigning US Am champion he would get great pairings in the Masters, US Open, and British. And, he would likely get 7 sponsor's exemptions after he turned pro (after the British).

[TDouble]

At first I thought this was a really bad decision and then I read a Q&A Espn did w/ him and I changed my mind. What else does the guy have to prove in amateur golf?

Playing in the Masters, US Open, etc. is a huge deal but if this kid is the real deal like everyone says he'll get there eventually.

[BigSoonerFan]

I think it's idiotic that they lose their exemptions to the Masters, US Open, British Open by turning pro. Those pompous bastards really tick me off sometimes.