TOP US COLLEGE GOLFER TURNING PROFESSIONAL

FROM THE GOLFWEEK WEBSITE
Texas University sophomore (second-year) student Jordan Spieth has announced that he will forego the remainder of his college eligibility and turn professional. 
Spieth, 19, was Big 12 Player of the Year and a First-Team All-American in his first year with the Longhorns, and helped guide the team to a national title.
Spieth, pictured above in July 2008 when he played in the R and A Junior Open at Hesketh - but didn't win,  failed to advance out of the second stage of US PGA Tour Q-School in November.
“The decision to turn pro was a difficult one, but I’m looking forward to the challenge of competing at the highest level and accomplishing the many goals I’ve set for myself on and off the course,” Spieth said. 
“I owe everything I’ve achieved thus far to the support of my family, friends, team-mates, and The University of Texas. While I’m proud of what my teammates and I have accomplished, I couldn’t be more excited to fulfil my lifelong dream of becoming a professional golfer.”
Spieth already has made the cut in six of the eight US PGA Tour events in which he has played. His finishes include a T-21 and low amateur honours at this year’s U.S. Open, as well as being in contention to win at the 2010 Byron Nelson Championship while only 16 years old.
Spieth also was a member of the beatem 2011 U.S. Walker Cup team at Royal Aberdeen GC, where he was undefeated and held the R and A’s No. 1 World Amateur ranking this year.
“Jordan Spieth is a remarkable young man,” said Texas head coach John Fields. 
“Though he is leaving early, he has left a positive, indelible mark on The University of Texas and our program. 
"Jordan is first class - first class as a student, first class as a teammate. We will certainly miss him, but our future remains bright, and like him, this is a new beginning for all of us.”

Information from Texas Athletics used in this report