Adam Scott, pictured here earlier this year at the Benson & Hedges International Open, has now turned professional. Allsport
Outstanding Australian amateur Adam Scott has turned professional, according to The Australian newspaper.
In Friday's edition, the paper quotes Scott's father, Phil, saying that Adam will make his pro debut at the European Tour's Compaq European Grand Prix in two weeks.
"He's got a swag of invitations to events in the US and Europe. So the hope is that he can do well enough in those events to avoid having to go to the European Tour school at the end of the year. If we leave it any longer it will be too late," Mr Scott is quoted saying.
Scott, 19, has not received as much publicity as countryman Aaron Baddeley, but some believe he is a better player.
Baddeley won the Australian Open last year, but Scott has actually finished ahead of Baddeley in all except one amateur tournament that both played.
While Baddeley has struggled on the PGA Tour this year, Scott had been doing much better in Europe, albeit in a slightly less heated battlefield.
He finished sixth at the Moroccan Open in April, before coming fifth in the much stronger Benson and Hedges International last month.
According to The Australian, these performances prompted Scott's coach, Butch Harmon, to advise him to turn pro.
Scott, who has been based in Las Vegas for two years since accepting a scholarship at UNLV, will continue to live there, so that he can maintain his relationship with Harmon, the paper continues.
