Going Pro vs The Masters

[Hackey Hackerson]

Would you take the route Colt Knost is taking and go pro rather than waiting six months to play in the Masters? He seems to have the feeling that he will earn another trip sometime later. But could you turn the option down? I don't think I could.

[FIJIGolf23]

I voted Masters. He may be able to earn a spot with his play, but to turn down a chance to play the Masters as an amateur is dumb. There is no possible way that I would turn that down.

[lamebums]

Masters. You'd have to be insane to turn down an opportunity like that. There's no guarantee if you go on Tour that you'll qualify for the Masters the hard way.

[Diggitydog]

He probably feels ready to turn pro and he might as well earn his way to the Masters. He's likely not going to set attending the Masters Tournament as his career highlight. If he's playing well enough he'll get in and if he's not, he knows that he wouldn't contend anyway.

[geezer]

I voted Masters, but thats just me. Colt Knost probably had a long hard think about this before he decided what to do, I'm sure he has his reasons. BTW He definatley is good enough to play his way into the Masters.

[$2 Nassau]

I support his decision to turn pro. He'll play his way in eventually.

[nyjets2806]

i would turn pro, if your ready to play at that level (which he probably is) then its better to go in and get the experience playing in pga tour tournaments so if or when he is able to play his way into the masters hell be better prepared to compete in the majors.

[thumper07]

Q: What was his reasoning behind it?
A: Just that it was crazy to sit out six months with nothing to play in for one tournament when I could be out there getting sponsor's exemptions and playing in a few events to gain experience for my professional career.

-this is from ESPN

did a little research for people wondering why he did what he did. he is just looking at the big picture.

-matt

[WhiteSoxFan]

I voted Masters. I just think that's a once in a lifetime opportunity to play as an amateur.

BUT, to add to what thumper07 said, they talked about this during the US Amateur broadcast. Basically, the kid just graduated from college, and he doesn't have a job. He's got to eat and earn enough money to put a roof over his head. It would be pretty tough to sit around for 7 months and play in a few amateur tourneys just waiting for the Masters. I don't blame the kid one bit.

[Will]

The guy's a nut, has some weird family stuff going on. He's an idiot for passing up the Masters, regardless of his future success on tour. He's also a loud obnoxious crybaby. Plus, he's going to soon blimp out to Daly proportions.

Probably will miss this cut this week. The guy is a gold-plated can't miss loser.

(and yes, I had a bad round today :))

[fusioncal]

I voted for Masters. Turning to a pro can wait.

[Shindig]

If I find myself winning a USGA National Championship some day, and can get sponsor exemptions into a few tournaments, I'd likely turn pro pretty quickly. The Masters would certainly be great to play in, but if I were capable of making a living by playing golf, I'd want to start sooner than later.

Since my handicap is above my age, I doubt I'll be winning USGA National Championships anytime soon.

[powerfade]

The guy's a nut, has some weird family stuff going on. He's an idiot for passing up the Masters, regardless of his future success on tour. He's also a loud obnoxious crybaby. Plus, he's going to soon blimp out to Daly proportions.

Your comment is kinda harsh, but then I thought about my first thought yesterday seeing the highlights of him in the Valero Open and thinking...this kid needs take care of himself - what a slob. I didn't reaslize he was in that bad a shape (physically).

I know nothing about him and I shouldn't judge, but oh well, that's what forums are for, right? I voted the Pro route. So close to your dreams and goals, you gotta do it. Since he graduated college, there's no reason to wait 6 months.

[TourSpoon]

I guess you have to strike when the irons hot and play your exemptions. Of course if he misses every cut he will wish he would of waited. Then again, if he is playing that bad, he would be playing that bad regardless of pro versus amatuer.

[golfchief]

The mini tours are full of people who think they have the game for the pga. many fail at the mini tour level,never seeing there name on a pga scoring board. He should wait and take is shot at the Masters.

[WorkerOfTheBall]

Colt has to do what is best for him and his career, not what fans want. Playing the Masters as an "Am" maybe great for some but how does that better his career? I don't blame him for making the choice he did.

[RX Phoenix]

He also lost out on the British Open . . . I would say that playing in the Masters would further his career in certain ways, the experience of being around that atmosphere is unique. Colt is so confident that he can make it on the Tour, but he bombed in Q-school so it's off to the Nationwide. Is he overweight, yea, but so was Nicklaus at his age. But odds are against him making it to the Masters, he should have waited to turn pro.

[Lost Ball]

Lost Ball loves the Masters but understands that going pro may be the best for him