Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Moore makes it official: He’s a pro

The card, Ryan Moore said, is the thing. Otherwise, turning pro changes nothing about the game of golf.

"The ball isnt looking at me any differently now that I'm a pro," Moore said.

Speaking Tuesday in a conference call from the Barclays Classic at Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y., Moore formally announced that he is turning pro. The news of his decision was first reported before last weeks U.S. Open, where Moore made the cut but finished well off the pace at 16-over.

By turning pro now, Moore gave up his amateur exemption into this years British Open at St. Andrews in Scotland. His time to chase enough money, or even a win, to get his PGA Tour card for 2006 is short enough that Moore said he could not wait any longer to get started.

"It was a tough question, something we debated a lot," Moore said. "Theres nothing more Id like in the world than to play the British Open at St. Andrews. It would be a great experience to be there, let along play the British Open there. This just felt like the right time."

Moore said that given his priority of using some sponsors exemptions to play for pay, the British Open experience is something he considers a "luxury." He will start his pro career in Westchester before moving on to play the Western Open in Chicago next week. Beyond Chicago, Moore has not yet decided on his schedule. An excellent showing at the Western Open could still get him into the British Open. The highest finisher at the Western not already qualified for the British earns an exemption.

"I gave up the spot and now I need to see if I can go earn it back," Moore said. Moore did not announce any other professional commitments. Negotiations are still ongoing to determine any potential endorsement deals and to figure out who will become Moores agent.

"Were still in the process of sorting everything out, really," Moore said. "I dont really have any specifics right now. We have a really good idea, and were pretty much right on the brink. But were not exactly settled on it yet."

Most in the Moore family sported Ping hats at the U.S. Open and representatives of Gaylord Sports Management, which handles Phil Mickelson and about 30 other professional golfers, trailed Moore around Pinehurst. A practice round with Mickelson and Moore was also arranged at the Masters in April.

Moores father, Mike, and brother, Jeremy, have handled much of the negotiations with agents and equipment companies. Moore credits them for doing much of the tough work and said they will continue to be involved in his decision-making process.

"Theyve been great. Theyve helped out a ton," Moore said. "Theyve done anything and everything for me. I appreciate them being there and helping out. Its a lot to handle sometimes, a lot more than I can handle myself."

The process of selecting an agent and choosing endorsement deals has been fun, Moore said.

"There are big differences in how people see you and see your image," Moore said.

archive