Oliver Goss has turned professional and will make a bold attempt to earn a US PGA tour card over the next few months.
Fresh off his second major championship appearance the 20-year-old has announced his intentions and will tee it up in at least the next three US tour events on sponsor invites, starting this week at the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Connecticut.
Despite a tough US Open second round it closes a distinguished amateur career where he was runner-up at the US Amateur and was low amateur at this year’s Masters.
“I am really excited to go to the next step and I feel like I am ready to go,” Goss told AAP.
As a non-member of the tour, Goss will need to win the equivalent money or points of the 125th member to punch his ticket onto the tour next year.
With the season close to over, Goss is giving up a huge start to others; with 125th on the money list currently Roberto Castro at $472,650.
He would need a solo third finish or better to start to sniff that kind of cash, or a handful of top-10 finishes.
“The key when you turn pro is just to do well early and that’s what I really want to do, Goss said.
“I want to hit the ground running, get a couple of good finishes and that will help me get more starts this season to help me get my card.”
With just seven possible starts before the playoffs start, the heat will really be on Goss to perform.
But should he fail to get to the 125th slot, anywhere between 126-200 would at least get him a ticket to the secondary tour finals, giving the West Australian a chance to earn a card there. Kevin Foley sits 200th right now with $75,265 to his name.
“You just have to look at Jordan Spieth and know while only seven or eight guys have done it, it’s possible,” Goss said.
“You can do it. And even if I don’t get my full tour card there is plan B, C, D, E and F and I have great opportunities with every plan.
“Playing the two majors gives me huge confidence. There are guys on the tour who have never played a major and to have played two and played quite well in one, and to be able to draw on that experience at any time I want, is massive.”
With help from Wasserman Media’s Ian Davis in Australia, Goss has signed with Bud Martin in the USA, the same agent who looks after top Aussies Jason Day and Marc Leishman, ensuring he has significant mentors.
It also ensured significant power in getting the usually rare sponsors invites.
“I’ve been talking to Jason and it will be great to get to know him better and learn from him in regards to how he goes about the business of tour life and what it took for him to become a top five player in the world,” Goss said.
“It’s great to have a chance to learn from the best.”
Day will join Goss at TPC River Highlands as will 2012 event champion Leishman, Aaron Baddeley, Stuart Appleby, Greg Chalmers, Scott Gardiner, Matt Jones and Bronson La’Cassie.
