Winning U.S Amateur --> eligible to play 3 Majors

[bjoern2796]

The U.S Amateur champion is eligible to play The Masters, The U.S. Open and The Open Championship the upcoming year.

But is he still eligible to play these 3 majors if he dicides to turn professional after his U.S Amateur win to get money if he makes the cut at a major?

[cipher]

Kelly Kraft turned professional after playing in the masters, and was no longer able to compete in the US Open and the Open Championship under the US Amateur exemption.  He would have had to go through a qualifier for the US Open.

[iacas]

Colt Knost turned pro and lost all three invitations.

[cipher]

Both guys made the wrong choice IMO.