The prize money just gets shifted down so the 2nd place guy gets the winning money.

And nope, you cannot change your am/pro status after a tournament has started. Which I think is dumb - an amateur should be able to have the chance to make that decision if he finds himself in a position where he would be winning enough money to secure his golf future financially for the next few years.

I think that is a dumb rule as well.

To be honest though (with the masters being the best example of this), it wouldn't be fair if an Amateur got into the tournament by means not possible to the route of a professional, then just decided to reap the financial benefits of his result by turning pro on the spot.

If they actually want to be a professional, then they should need to abide by the pros and cons of being a professional. Obviously this is essentially a one time thing, but you can't ignore the benefits to this.

Why wouldn't it be fair? They won their spot into the tournament as an amateur. Shouldn't matter after that.

If you think it's not fair for them to turn pro on the spot, do you think it's fair for the pros to reap the benefits of the amateur's prize money?

I'm all for the rule that prevents you from changing your status just because you win money. That's like free rolling (kinda).


I wonder though, if someone gets in as an amateur, can they declare being a professional before the event starts?

I think BO or Stadler said you lose your Master's invite if you do. Not sure about regular tournaments.

Yeah, this is a good point.

Pretty sure this was covered somewhere in this forum and perhaps early in this thread. If stads were to declare pro he would lose his Master's invite.

Start here: http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...2&postcount=61

Yeah it would be a huge freeroll to enter a tournament in which you could eventually collect a lot of money (by declaring yourself a pro when you go to collect your check), but yet still retain your am status should you choose not to declare.

Not that it really matters either way. I mean who the hell cares if a few guys every year get a sick freeroll? I don't. But the logic of it seems pretty obvious.

And aren't all these guys going to go pro pretty soon anyway? It's not like these guys will never have a chance to make money at golf if they don't do so this week.

Just a couple of questions I've always had about the amateurs:

1. Is there a limit to the number of times you can play leading up to the tournament and/or a date range that you are allowed to play? I've always said if I were in your position, I'd move to Augusta, rent an apartment, and just play there everyday while I had the chance. Obviously you are in school in California so this isn't feasible.

2. What are your restrictions on taking pictures/tweeting/commenting about Augusta?

3. What's the club like? Are you basically a member while you are allowed to play there? Or is it more like "you get to play here and then you get to leave" sort of thing? If you want a burger after the round, do you have access to the restaurant? Do you have to pay for it?

4. Do you have any access whatsoever after the tournament or is it just completely done for? Do you have someone you can call and get yourself on now or what?

5. Are there members there all of the time like a regular club? It seems not so much.

Yeah it would be freerolling for sure but if you win the Masters as an AM and fulfill Bobby's dream I'm sure you'd be able to write your own ticket anyway. Movies, Book Deals, Sponsorships.

It's still a win.

Hey guys,

Just popped in to mention I spoke to Michael briefly on the range/putting green this morning.

He was signing lots of autographs, was staying in the Crows Nest tonight and mentioned it was his 22nd birthday on Friday.

If he wasn't so nice you could almost hate the lucky b*****d

I saw Michael today after he teed off on 15. He was walking down the other side of the fairway as we were coming up so I didn't get to talk but I called over "Get em Stadler" and he looked over, smiled and gave a thumbs up.

Sure enough, someone next to us says to someone in his group "That was Craig Stadler". LOL. Hopefully I will get to see him and chat a bit on Wednesday.

Does the us am runner up get a pre arranged grouping? Are the par 3 pairings out? This will be a fun sweat. Glglglglgl!!!!

Sorry you're right, I was thinking of Willie Peterson who was on the bag for all of Jack's wins except 86.

From the highlights I've seen, he celebrated more than Jack.

Was it like:


Or:



Could be big things coming from him this week if he reminded you of the former.

I think the worst thing that could happen is he gets the nick-name "stadler" out there from you guys yelling it at him so often.

Random nicknames are the best.

when i first started reading the golf forum i thought stadler was a guy who really liked craig stadler

Do you think you are value at 3.50$ to be top amateur.

Good luck!

Can you bet on yourself?

Yup. 10 percent!

He is available as a choice in draftstreet fantasy golf. Might take a shot.

Couldn't turn down 2000/1 odds...

Haha Spenda saw that and just went on and did the same. $3 to win $6k. Come on Stadler!