One of Australia’s top young golf talents, Travis Smyth, has completed his outstanding amateur career and is set to turn professional.
Smyth confirmed to Golf Australia after the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship in Wellington that he would make the turn as soon as possible.
The 22-year-old, originally from Wollongong, finished T-24 in the prestigious amateur event which boasts a place in the field for the Masters at Augusta National and the British Open at Carnoustie for the winner.
China’s Lin Yuxin won the tournament at Royal Wellington by three shots.
Just as Curtis Luck did in 2017, Smyth would have delayed his turning professional until after next year’s and Masters and Open had he qualified. Now he can do it straight away.
Smyth said his recent win in a professional tournament, the Northern Territory PGA Championship (pictured), made his decision easy.
“I was just going after one result this week, really, and that was to win,” he said. “And if I didn’t win, I’m turning pro.
“I was fortunate enough to win the NT PGA, and I was going to play the Aussie summer as an amateur; now I can play it as a pro. I’m basically a pro as of tomorrow or the next day, whenever I sign the papers, just get the show on the road.”
Smyth said he was excited about the change.
“It’s pretty motivating to start back as the underdog, which I like, and go and prove how I can play. It’s exciting and motivating.”
