2010 US Amateur Champion and top ranked Amateur golfer Peter Uihlein has decided to turn professional and forgo his final semester at Oklahoma State University. Uihlein has won about everything there is to win in amateur golf, and was a member of a winning Walker Cup team.
His decision to turn professional at this time was fueled by the desire to have a full season to work his way to a full-time exemption on a tour next year. The odd part is that Uihlein will be taking his game to Europe this upcoming season and playing primarily on the European Tour and possibly the European Challenge tour. Uihlein states: "There has been a great list of players who cut their teeth in Europe. They all started in Europe and gained great experience by playing different courses. It's a new challenge."
He has signed agent Chubby Chandler, who works with top players Lee Westwood and Charl Schwartzel, and was the agent of Rory McIlroy up until this fall.
Uihlein's first tournament as a pro will be at the HSBC Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, which boasts players like Tiger Woods, Luke Donald, and McIlroy. He will stay in the middle east and play at Qatar and probably the Dubai Desert Classic. He is guaranteed 7 sponsors exemptions on the PGA Tour and can earn more with high finishes in those tournaments.
Look for the young guns Uihlein, Rickie Fowler, and Bud Cauley to have huge seasons, and expect 2 of the 3 to make the Ryder Cup Team.
(Quotes used are via the Associated Press, image rights are from GolfWeek)
No comments:
Post a Comment