Fred Biondi-Interesting Dilemma

[J_Tizzle]

It's very odd that he'd get the KF and Masters invites but ONLY if he remains an am.  Guys that play and win at that level are going pro and probably should, but to have to delay that process almost a year to play at The Masters seems poorly thought out

 

I'd wait and play the US Open, then probably go pro and start the KF like others have said and try to earn my way into Augusta.

[aus10KC]

51 minutes ago, J_Tizzle said:

It's very odd that he'd get the KF and Masters invites but ONLY if he remains an am.  Guys that play and win at that level are going pro and probably should, but to have to delay that process almost a year to play at The Masters seems poorly thought out

 

I'd wait and play the US Open, then probably go pro and start the KF like others have said and try to earn my way into Augusta.

 

It's especially odd because the winner could be a senior who has no college eligibility left. 

 

PGAT and ANGC may have colluded on other things but this isn't one of them 🤣

[smashdn]

He could always win a PGAT event and earn that Masters invite another way.

[jdl]

Masters should honor the invite even if he turns pro given the timing of the NCAA event. I'd think giving up all those KF tour starts would be difficult to do in Fred's case. Having that status and place to play is a huge plus for a young pro.

[slprince67]

Didnt Colt Knost have the same dilemma after winning the Publinks and the Am..... he turned pro and skipped the Masters.  He never qualified for the Masters again, wonder if he he had any regrets.... they were throwing some good money at him to turn pro.

[farmer]

Play in the US Open, then the Am, play on some sponsor exemptions and see if he has enough game for the tour.  His stroke avg was 70, so a + hdcp, but not necessarily tour quality.  I would play the Masters, it could be his once-in-a-lifetime chance.

[iBanesto]

17 hours ago, smashdn said:

He could always win a PGAT event and earn that Masters invite another way.

 

[ilikegolf26]

On 5/31/2023 at 7:35 AM, cardoustie said:

Masters then pro, the golf world is littered with great players that have zero success professionally 

I don’t think the kid is long either …

 

side note, as a former college player, I love watching the matches in the evenings 

He’s plenty long off the tee. 

[NoCalHack]

Go pro after the US open. If your goal is to become a tour player, then you will play in the Masters one day if you take care of business.

 

Even Colt Knost would've probably made the same decision again, although I'm not sure he's on the record about that.

[golfortennis]

4 hours ago, NoCalHack said:

Go pro after the US open. If your goal is to become a tour player, then you will play in the Masters one day if you take care of business.

 

Even Colt Knost would've probably made the same decision again, although I'm not sure he's on the record about that.

 

The big thing is, only rich kids even have this decision.  Anyone else it's not even a question.  

[grm24]

3 hours ago, golfortennis said:

 

The big thing is, only rich kids even have this decision.  Anyone else it's not even a question.  

Colt Knost wasn't a rich kid. One of the reasons he turned pro early was to help his family financially.

[PedronNiall]

Definitely would have to be all kinds of upper crust to decide one guaranteed touch of The Masters is worth more than guaranteed starts as a pro, guaranteed money, and the ability to still earn your way into any tournament you like along the ride. 

 

Caveat certainly is that NIL might see him sitting nicely regardless. Not sure what he has sitting on the table in that regard, but it would have to be pretty amazing to offset the experience & potential dollars of tour access. 

 

Agree with others who've already said there's no reason AN should require the players to remain amateurs to take the invite when it's nearly a year until the tourney rolls around again. 

[Purple Toupee]

11 minutes ago, grm24 said:

Colt Knost wasn't a rich kid. One of the reasons he turned pro early was to help his family financially.

That was the point.  It was never a tough decision for him.

[Shilgy]

16 hours ago, Purple Toupee said:

That was the point.  It was never a tough decision for him.

Agreed….if Biondi plans on a golf career how could he possibly pass up a KF card this year and unlimited PGA Tour exemptions?

[golfortennis]

5 hours ago, Shilgy said:

Agreed….if Biondi plans on a golf career how could he possibly pass up a KF card this year and unlimited PGA Tour exemptions?

 

While one of the things ANGC has done well is hold to traditions, they haven't always done so.  They have made changes over the years.  "Remain an amateur" maybe should be one of them.

 

Although the flip side would seem to be if you're one of the pros, if these guys are going to be playing for the pot of money you are, shouldn't they have gotten in the same way you did?  On the surface I think he shouldn't lose his spot, but I could see the other pros not being so cool with this.  Not that it's their decision in any way.

[golfortennis]

Just got me thinking....  maybe this is beyond silly, but what if they let him play even if he turns professional, he just can't win any prize money at the Masters.   

[Purple Toupee]

14 hours ago, golfortennis said:

Just got me thinking....  maybe this is beyond silly, but what if they let him play even if he turns professional, he just can't win any prize money at the Masters.   

You are correct, that is beyond silly.  It would be a terrible idea to allow the Masters (or any tournament) to decide which professionals they are going to pay, and which ones they won’t.

[Creedo77]

Officially turned pro and it’s the right move Hes playing well and can use that momentum to play well on the KFT and maybe lock up his tour card 

[dmecca2]

36 minutes ago, Creedo77 said:

Officially turned pro and it’s the right move Hes playing well and can use that momentum to play well on the KFT and maybe lock up his tour card 

Surprised he turned pro before US open considering that's right around the corner. But it looks like he has a plan and wants to get started on his pro career ASAP

[jdl]

1 hour ago, dmecca2 said:

Surprised he turned pro before US open considering that's right around the corner. But it looks like he has a plan and wants to get started on his pro career ASAP

Did he make it through local qualifying?

 

Interesting to look at the PGA Tour U standings, the top 5 have the best status rewards:

 

1) Aberg is playing final qualifying today, stayed as an am for this. Of course he's got his PGA Tour card, not just KF status so make sense to delay

2) Biondi is in the field at the KF event

3) Dumont de Chassart also in the KF field. He did make it through local qualifying so decided to pass on the chance to get to LACC

4) Steelman is in final qualifying as an am

5) Bennett already turned pro and finished 63rd at the Memorial

[golfortennis]

4 hours ago, dmecca2 said:

Surprised he turned pro before US open considering that's right around the corner. But it looks like he has a plan and wants to get started on his pro career ASAP

 

That was my thought.  A couple of weeks in order to play the US Open I didn't think was so bad.  Maybe this week is at a course he really likes. Or does he get to keep his exemption?  Maybe ANGC is the only one that required he remain Am.  My understanding was not that but maybe the guys on the radio had it wrong.  

[mosesgolf]

Play the US Open that is obvious.  Then ask for a couple sponsor's exemptions afterwards to see where you're at.  If you miss cut by miles than no go pro.  Wait a year to develop as well as play in the Masters.  

[jimecherry]

4 minutes ago, mosesgolf said:

Play the US Open that is obvious.  Then ask for a couple sponsor's exemptions afterwards to see where you're at.  If you miss cut by miles than no go pro.  Wait a year to develop as well as play in the Masters.  

i guess you missed the news

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/floridas-fred-biondi-makes-tough-decision-turn-pro-bypass-major-exemptions

[golfortennis]

5 minutes ago, jimecherry said:

i guess you missed the news

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/floridas-fred-biondi-makes-tough-decision-turn-pro-bypass-major-exemptions

 

Definitely the right call, and since he had qualified for last years US Open, which I did not know, that makes it even easier then.  He has the experience of playing in it.  

 

Gotta use the tour status while you have it.

[Creedo77]

Solid day so far in SC on the KFT

[OBbogey5]

If he thinks playing in next year’s Masters is a once in a lifetime opportunity, then he should not turn pro. Bet he doesn’t think this way. 
 

Edit: whoops.. first page reader. But I was right 😉

Edited June 11, 2023 by OBbogey5

[jimecherry]

3 rounds in the 60s needed 4 for a top 10 first check is going to be small.