Despite NCAA title, Moore won’t go pro

Adam Candee

Monday, June 7, 2004 | 9:36 a.m.

Ryan Moore's cell phone battery died early last week and he left the charger at home. By the time he got it working again over the weekend, it would not stop ringing with congratulations that Moore found a little unusual.

"I just didn't think it was as big a deal as everybody made it," Moore said. "It's just another college tournament to me."

"It was kind of a shock to me."

That pedestrian event is the NCAA championship that Moore won Friday at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Va., blowing away the field by six strokes at 13-under to claim UNLV's first individual title since Warren Schutte won in 1991.

Business pre-empted whatever celebration Moore might allow himself, as he traveled to Columbus, Ohio, right after his victory to prepare for today's 36 holes of U.S. Open sectional qualifying at Brookside Country Club and Lake Country Club.

"I haven't had much time to enjoy it," Moore said.

Moore will compete along with professionals John Daly and Alex Cejka, as well as his NCAA playing partner Bill Haas, for one of 33 spots available to a field of 184 players. The 104th U.S. Open takes place begins June 17 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southhampton, N.Y.

"I've just got to restore and get some rest and go play 36 (today)," Moore said.

His schedule remains hectic throughout the summer, notably with a trip to Ireland for the Palmer Cup in early August followed by the U.S. Amateur just about two weeks later.

Moore makes it all sound simple, never allowing his emotions to soar in victory or plummet in defeat, no matter what comes next. But the Arctic exterior is only part of Moore's persona, said Rebels coach Dwaine Knight, who watched his star pupil grit through a tough course and tougher opponents to win without much competition last week.

"He's low-key, but there's a lot of depth there," Knight said. "He's a fierce competitor. There is a lot of fire there that people can't really see."

It is that fire which drives him back to UNLV for his senior season. Moore said before the postseason began that any success would not sway his decision to continue with the Rebels through his final year. He is sticking to that even after scaling the highest individual height for a college player.

Moore's belief that the Rebels are a championship-caliber squad -- even though the young squad finished 11th at the West Regional this year to miss nationals -- is a central factor to his return.

"Honestly, if I didn't think we had a good chance to win next year, turning pro would be a bigger consideration," Moore said.

While Knight obviously wanted Moore to play another year for UNLV and to earn his degree, the coach also advised him of the professional benefits of staying in school. Moore is a lock to begin next season as the No. 1 ranked college golfer in the country and the Rebels did not lose any players to graduation this year.

Plenty of hype surrounds the country's best player, even if that golfer is not coming off a national title victory. Agents and equipment sponsors tend to notice -- and further -- that hype.

"Really, his worth will only continue to go up," Knight said.