Lowry and Arnold set for professional debuts

Two golfers who have the potential to make it big will shed their amateur status this week when they take part in the European Open at the London Club in Kent, England.

Shane Lowry, the amateur winner of the recent Irish Open, and Scott Arnold, the top-ranked amateur in the world, have both entered the European Tour event hoping to make an impact in the professional ranks.

The 22-year-old Irishman Lowry became only the third amateur to win on the European Tour and said his victory in his native Open swayed him to turn pro. He said in a Reuters article:

“It has been madness. I am just starting to calm down now. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else (other than turning pro). I didn’t fancy teeing it up in amateur tournaments again so it was the right thing to do. I’ve known I wanted to turn pro since I was about 15. Professional golf was all I wanted to do and it was the right time to do it.”

According to some reports, the Northern Irish pair of Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell were ready to pick up Lowry in their private jet for the trip to England, but he prefers to shun the celebrity life, saying: “would that look like me?”

Arnold is a 23-year-old from Australia and has joined the International Sports Management agency, joining the likes of teen sensation McIlory, Enrie Els, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood.

He is the Australian Men’s Amateur champion and is looking for the chance to make his name as a professional. He said:

“It’s always been my aim to play golf professionally in Europe. It’s definitely where I think my game will improve the most. There are so many challenges for rookie pros and plenty of Aussies have done well.”

One this for sure, it will not be easy for the two newcomers. The tournament boasts a strong field that includes US Masters champion Angel Cabrera, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Westwood, Clarke, John Daly, Colin Montgomerie and defending champion Ross Fisher.


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