AMATEUR SENSATION TURNS DOWN PGA TOUR IN MOVE PUTTING LIV GOLF ON RED ALERT

Gordon Sargent, the world's leading amateur golfer, has declined the chance to join the PGA Tour, choosing to stay in college until next year.

The 21-year-old will remain at Vanderbilt University for the 2024-25 collegiate season despite earning a PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University program, but he believes it is not the right time to turn professional.

Instead of joining the tour in June, Sargent will turn pro 12 months later to focus on another NCAA season. If and when Sargent - who played in the Masters and the US Open in 2023 - joins the tour, he will have guaranteed membership until the end of the 2026 season.

"Was kind of hoping a decision would come clear and obviously there’s not going to be a perfect answer," Sargent told Golf Channel.

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"But I was weighing my options and I mean, after just playing a few college events in the spring, I think you really appreciate how much you enjoy college golf. After reviewing with my parents, coaches and team-wise, it just kind of seemed like it was the best thing for me. I could stay in Nashville and continue to get better.

"I think there were a lot of expectations this year, and we’re looking forward to the postseason, but I think just staying another year, being a senior, enjoying the college life and while also knowing, I mean knowing there’s a PGA Tour card still waiting for you, it gives you a lot of freedom if you need to make some changes and stuff. Then off the golf course, just continue to mature as a person and just better prepare myself for the future."

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The move is sure to have alerted LIV Golf. While Sargent has declared his allegiance to the PGA Tour, his options remain open and he appears to be exactly the kind of player the Saudi Arabia-funded breakaway league is pursuing.

While big-name acquisitions like Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton in recent months have been central to LIV's recruitment strategy, the Greg Norman-fronted tour has also invested in talent fresh out of the amateur ranks, such as Rahm and Hatton's Legion XIII teammate Caleb Surratt in January.

Sargent told the PGA Tour website he wanted to enjoy his time in college golf while it lasted, with professional golf a much more lonely pursuit. His move is the opposite of Nick Dunlap, who turned pro in January after his stunning PGA Tour win at The American Express.

“If you talk to anybody who’s played college golf, they really do say it’s the best time of your life,” Sargent said. “He [Dunlap] definitely misses college a little bit, hanging out with teammates and stuff. Pro golf is definitely a different animal.

"He definitely loves the situation he’s in, but I think anyone you talk to on the PGA Tour would say the more time you have to prep before you get to the Tour, then the better off you’re going to be.”

2024-04-19T18:46:06Z dg43tfdfdgfd