lowry to go pro or stay amateur 'till after walker cup

soundsham

for the record i think go pro now

WaldenByThoreua

Go pro now and do what? Miss cuts in the limelight?

He should wait and get his Walker cup cap, which he's a certainty for. It would put a nice gloss on his already fantastic amateur career.

He'll have many years more for pro golf and can at least wait a few months like Rory did.

randomer

He can still make some good money from endorsements and sponsorship.

jampotjim

Play in the Walker cup as it was his goal before the Irish Open and he should stick to it...

Also he has the rest of his career to go for it in the pro ranks while the Walker cup really is a rare opportunity..

jampotjim

randomer wrote: »

He can still make some good money from endorsements and sponsorship.

He can't officially until he turns pro...

Trampas

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Sounds like he is going pro when asked the question.

He wants to make the most out of his 2 year exempt.

Especially with big tourneys coming up

PhilipMarlowe

stay amateur to play in walker cup

I would have said he should wait but I now believe he should turn pro immediately and play in wentworth next week!

f22

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Very tough decision to be honest. It will be hard to ignore the wads of cash that will be waved in front of him this week.

"missed cuts" hard to see that happening with his game. Will that win improve his world amateur ranking? Think he was top 15 anyway

WaldenByThoreua

f22 wrote: »

Very tough decision to be honest. It will be hard to ignore the wads of cash that will be waved in front of him this week.

"missed cuts" hard to see that happening with his game. Will that win improve his world amateur ranking? Think he was top 15 anyway

It was hard to see it with Justin Rose, Ricky Barnes and Ty Tryon's games as well....nobody can predict how anyone's career is going to pan out...

Though it would be hard for him to ignore the signing on money etc being waved in his face..

Blunder

Stay amatuer. He has an exemption until the end of the 2011 season, plenty of big tournaments after the walker cup to gain entry into the race to dubai and he's into the HSBC tournament now which is also a WGC event so plenty of chances to earn enough. I think he'll look back and regret it if he turns pro now. He's going to be around for a long time but he may never play a ryder cup. He's the first name on this year walker cup team list now.

Trampas

stay amateur to play in walker cup

money could be thrown at him now, might not be there after walker cup

irishtoffee

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Turn pro tomorrow morning,he has to.All the offers will be flooding in.

jimboddb

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Has to go pro, at the end of the day amateur golf is like conference football in comparison to the premier league. Dont get me wrong I love amateur golf but nobody remembers who won the walker cup.

1967

He should stick to his plan that he had before this win, his exemption will still be there when walker cup is finished.

Blunder

Danny Lee waited to turn pro til after the masters. Mcilroy waited till after the Walker cup. both players had played numerous times on tour, all around the world. Shane has just completed and won his very first tournament with a professional field. 4 months in terms of his career isnt going to be a big time to wait. sure he'll be missing out on earning money but that isnt going to be a big deal at the end of the day. Last Thursday morning the walker cup was his goal for the year and I dont think that should change now. I heard the interview with him after the win where he said he would be mad not to turn pro. I think he'll take a while to reflect on the situation. If after that he decides the best move for him is to turn pro then best of luck to him, If however he decides to remain an amatuer and play in the tournament he has been working towards for the last two years then you cant question his decision.

In fairness its a nice choice to have to make!

Marshy

Yeah judging by that interview where he said he'd be mad not to the indication is he may decide to go for it straight away.

I'd be inclined to wait though. Its only another few months.

redmca

With all the promotion of Titleist and Footjoy all over him, his caddie, and his bag, it looks like he is already on someone's payroll !!!

f22

stay amateur to play in walker cup

redmca wrote: »

With all the promotion of Titleist and Footjoy all over him, his caddie, and his bag, it looks like he is already on someone's payroll !!!

You'll find that most top amateurs, especially internationals get looked after by manufacturers. Carton house is a main titleist fitting centre and happens to be where all their coaching gets done.

The elite are amateur in name but are fulltime golfers.

Trampas

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Blunder wrote: »

Danny Lee waited to turn pro til after the masters. Mcilroy waited till after the Walker cup. both players had played numerous times on tour, all around the world. Shane has just completed and won his very first tournament with a professional field. 4 months in terms of his career isnt going to be a big time to wait. sure he'll be missing out on earning money but that isnt going to be a big deal at the end of the day. Last Thursday morning the walker cup was his goal for the year and I dont think that should change now. I heard the interview with him after the win where he said he would be mad not to turn pro. I think he'll take a while to reflect on the situation. If after that he decides the best move for him is to turn pro then best of luck to him, If however he decides to remain an amatuer and play in the tournament he has been working towards for the last two years then you cant question his decision.

In fairness its a nice choice to have to make!

Danny Lee you can understand as he was going to the Masters which he might not get another chance.

Morrisseeee

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Very tough decision to make, but I'd imagine he'd turn PRO, at least I think I would, strike while the iron is HOT ! (bad pun intended), you'd have to re-adjust your goals & play with the big boys now, especially after that performance, he had a -10 round on Friday and showed great determination to win yesterday (wow). I hope he makes the right one, either way.

death1234567

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Has to turn pro.

BombSquad

stay amateur to play in walker cup

He's qualified to play in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and the WGC-HSBC Champions after that win. I wonder does he have to turn pro to accept the invitations as per the Masters, British and US Open exemptions for winning the US/British amateurs? He'd be mad not to. He doesn't work and is a full time amateur. I don't see any point in waiting for the Walker cup. It's a pretegious competition for amateurs but he should have his sights set far higher than that... Give me Wentworth any day...

He's also ranked 168 in the world now. Ahead of Mcginley and Peter Lawrie!

Bluefoam

stay amateur to play in walker cup

He obviously played fantastic golf, but how much of his win would have been down to course knowledge?

TBH, I think he should go pro & ride the wave of support he has after this weekend - he will certainly be able to negotiate a good deal. I wonder if '3' would be interested in sponsoring him - would seem like a good idea...

If he was to have a couple of bad games as an amatuer now he might do his sponsorship opportunities more harm than good.

eddhorse

He was given all the merchandise by the manufacturers on Friday.
ie man from Kartel gave him a big bag of stuff.
Because he isnt in a sponsership deal they can give what they want...

Blunder

Yeah '3' would be a good shout. The 3 ambassador didnt do himself any favours on Saturday.

BUACHAILL

I think he should stay amateur and play in the Walker cup as this is a huge achievement in itself and as he has said was a life dream of his...so take it he has worked for it. As for turning pro that will come afterwards. He has a 2year exemption from the time he turns pro so its not costing him anything in terms of time eating in to his exemption !! As for sponsors and endorsements he will have all this anyway and I would be very surprised if he is not signed to anybody already !! He cant get paid yet but thats not to say he does not have it guaranteed for him as soon as he signs on as pro !!

Dreams are more important in my eyes !! His money will be assured !!

Adiaga 2

If there are no restrictions on his 2 year exemption then I'd say stick to his plan and compete in the Walker Cup. I'm not sure though whether he only has a certain amount of time to turn pro and join the tour in order to keep that 2 year exemption. If staying amateur and competing in the WC meant losing that exemption then I think he'd be better off to turn pro. Hope he gets to do both personally.

Bluefoam

stay amateur to play in walker cup

What exactly does the exemption do? will he need to do the tour school anyway?

PhilipMarlowe

stay amateur to play in walker cup

AFAIK his exemption is for the next 2 seasons (plus the remainder of this one if he decides to go pro now) so he really can't lose, whatever he decides.

PhilipMarlowe

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Bluefoam wrote: »

What exactly does the exemption do? will he need to do the tour school anyway?

Winning a tournament guarantees his card for 2 years so no need for school.
When McIlroy turned pro mid-season, he won enough money quickly that meant he secured his card for the following year.

Mister Sifter

Licksy wrote: »

AFAIK his exemption is for the next 2 seasons (plus the remainder of this one if he decides to go pro now) so he really can't lose, whatever he decides.

I heard someone say in the media that the the exemption starts from the time he turns pro.

Bluefoam

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Licksy wrote: »

Winning a tournament guarantees his card for 2 years so no need for school.
When McIlroy turned pro mid-season, he won enough money quickly that meant he secured his card for the following year.

So if Lowrey keeps doing well, he will never need to go to school?

PhilipMarlowe

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Yes.
Once you have your card, win enough money every year to retain it for the following year. At the moment, that's about €220k which makes you finish in the top 115 (or so) of the order of merit.

PhilipMarlowe

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Graeme1982 wrote: »

I heard someone say in the media that the the exemption starts from the time he turns pro.

I don't think so... I mean if he were to turn pro today, it's not as if he could play up until the Irish open in 2011 and then be dumped off the tour if he hasn't made enough money...
I think he will be exempt for the full 2010 & 2011 seasons and whatever part of this 2009 season he decides to make use of.

Mister Sifter

Licksy wrote: »

I don't think so... I mean if he were to turn pro today, it's not as if he could play up until the Irish open in 2011 and then be dumped off the tour if he hasn't made enough money...
I think he will be exempt for the full 2010 & 2011 seasons and whatever part of this 2009 season he decides to make use of.

From Saturday's Belfast Telegraph...

"Lowry will be entitled to a two year exemption on the European Tour from the day he turns professional if he manages to keep the rest of the field at bay this weekend."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/lowryrsquos-driven-to-top-14304201.html

Adiaga 2

Yeah, if a pro had won yesterday he would be exempt for the rest of this season and all of 2010 and 2011. Still not 100% sure on how it will work for Lowry, i.e. whether there's a time limit on when he needs to join the tour else he loses this exemption. Most of what I've heard and read though seems to suggest he could play the WC and still take up the remainder of the exemption.

Blunder

The exemption runs to the Dubai World Championship of 2011. Essentially it is a 2 and a half year exemption. He is Exempt into 90% or so of the events between now and then. What I'm not sure of though is whether or not he has to be a pro to make use of the exemption. I've a feeling he can stay amateur as long as he wants, he just obviously wont be winning any money. And he wont be able to play in the PGA next week as it is a professional only event. I'm open to correction on this.

Dolph Starbeam

stay amateur to play in walker cup

He said afterwards that he'd be stupid not too, one of the main reasons he was waiting for the Walker cup is because it will get you some invites to events, become pro and try follow Rory out to America. But i don't mind if he stays amateur because he was supposed to be playing for Tullamore's senior cup team this year:)

f22

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Heard him interviewed this morning and he admitted he would have little interest competing as an amateur now.

I'm pretty sure he's biding his time for a couple of days to let it al sink in. I would be very surprised if he doesn't sign up with Chubby Chandler and let him manage the wheelbarrow loads of cash that will be on offer.

I think "3" would jump on the chance to have their logo sported by him.

offaly1

i heard that young lowry was hoping to go pro in october...is that after the walker cup??? Personally i think he should play the walker and get that behind him...then see from there. i don't think he looses his tour card, isn't it valid for 2 years after he turns pro?!

soundsham

stay amateur to play in walker cup

redmca wrote: »

With all the promotion of Titleist and Footjoy all over him, his caddie, and his bag, it looks like he is already on someone's payroll !!!

caddy was wearing galvin green raingear!!

true shane has all footjoy/adidas/titleist gear but its been free to him the last while including gloves balls etc.

Dolph Starbeam

stay amateur to play in walker cup

soundsham wrote: »

caddy was wearing galvin green raingear!!

true shane has all footjoy/adidas/titleist gear but its been free to him the last while including gloves balls etc.

Ye the last couple years i know Titleist have been giving him gear definatley. His coach Neil Manchip is the same coach my brother has, he's the Leinster coach, supposed to be very good. Also Donagh McCardle is the coach he had when he went from 4 into plus figures too iirc. I had Donagh as my coach since i as 10 but i'm still off 11 lol

bigtimecharlie

stay amateur to play in walker cup

I know little about the amateur side of things but an exemption on the European tour until the end of 2011 will give him plenty of time to work on his game.

Go fro it man.

mag

stay amateur to play in walker cup

charlie mulqueen seems to have the inside line on this - he'll be pro by the weekend. i think he's dead right...walker cup is massive but he's already surpassed that level with the win so onwards & upwards.

Dolph Starbeam

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Ye was out at Esker Hills last night for a small celabration, and Shane just said he'd be making his decision in the next couple days. It doesn't really matter whatever he decides imo, i think he'll be pro by the weekend too, he did say he had to talk to the Walker Cup captain to make his final decision too.

madds

I heard him on Today FM yesterday evening and got the distinct impression he's been told to reel his wishes/plans in a little as he was giving away his bargaining position. Putting a "I'm not sure whether I want to turn pro now or wait" line out there will put it up to those mgt companies wanting to take him on. They'll have to dangle a bigger carrot in front of him now.

Paulusmaximus

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Coming in late to the argument so forgive me if i;ve repeated what's been said before.

His only reason to stay amateur would be to play Walker Cup. the question you then have to ask is how big is the Walker Cup? I know Dalgliesh came out and said it was a big thing in the US but Mcilroy played Walker Cup and he was still a relative unknown in the US until the Matchplay.

Also, the Walker Cup, like the Ryder Cup is an exhibition match. Don't get me wrong here, i love both and am very passionate about both but in the grander scale of things whether a player plays walker cup or not is not going to effect his professional career much.

Golf is a selfish game, you have got to look after number one and i think the best thing that Lowry can do now is go pro, get the money thats on the table now and play in every tournament he possibly can which will also include a WGC event, the Bridgestone Invitational (which happens before the Walker Cup)

soundsham

stay amateur to play in walker cup

soundsham wrote: »

for the record i think go pro now

the more i read and think about it he has to
its a no brainer

Blunder

Does he get into the Bridgestone? I didnt think the Irish open Champ got an invitation into that.

Paulusmaximus

stay amateur to play in walker cup

Blunder wrote: »

Does he get into the Bridgestone? I didnt think the Irish open Champ got an invitation into that.

according to the IT today, he does

Blunder

interesting.