Rodgers to turn pro after NCAA season
3/4/2014 | by Benjamin Larsen of AmateurGolf.com
2-time Walker Cup star Patrick Rodgers has been a force since beginning his career at Stanford in 2011
Stanford's Patrick Rodgers, a two-time
U.S. Walker Cup team
member, announced Monday that he'll turn
professional following the
spring NCAA season.
Rodgers, who recently ascended to No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, is ranked No. 12 in the Golfweek/amateurgolf.co m U.S. Player Rankings.
The Avon, Ind. native most recently won the Prestige at PGA West but is coming off a stellar 2013 season in which he finished third at the Northeast Amateur and reached the final 16 in match play at the U.S. Amateur and Western Amateur, where he finished as the stroke-play medalist.
In 2011, he won the Porter Cup and had Top 5s at the Northeast Amateur, The Players, Terra Cotta and Azalea Amateur. In 2012, he was third at the Porter Cup and was in the Top 10 in NCAA regional and championship play.
Via a stat ement on Stanford's official athletics website, GoStanford.co m, Rodgers said:
“I came to this decision with a clear understanding of the impact it might have and had countless conversations with my parents and coach weighing the options and ensuring I made the best decision.
“The reason for coming out with this announcement now is over the past year, there has been growing speculation of what my plans would be. I thought I owed it to the team, to Coach (Conrad) Ray, and Stanford University to get ahead of the situation and come out with it now in order for it to not become a distraction for myself or the team.
“I think we have an amazing team – the best that we’ve had in my three years here – and we have an opportunity to do something special. I want to put all of the focus on trying to win a national championship for the team.”
Rodgers is a two-time first team All-American and ranks as Stanford's all-time career scoring leader, nearly half a stroke better than Tiger Woods.
Rodgers has already experienced a professional event, playing in a number of PGA Tour and Web.com Tour events. His best finish came at the 2013 John Deere Classic where he finished 15th after holding the lead.
“I do intend to come back at some point and finish my education,” Rodgers said to GoStanford.com. “In the very near future, I will be shifting my sole focus on starting my professional golf career. After navigating through the terrain and difficulties that process presents, I intend to complete work towards my Stanford degree.
“I’ve put a priority both on golf and in the classroom. I’m really proud of the work that I’ve done in the classroom and the experiences that I’ve gained. I think it’s a unique university, with the brilliant minds and professors, guest lecturers and all the students who bring so much to the table academically and athletically.”
Rodgers, who recently ascended to No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, is ranked No. 12 in the Golfweek/amateurgolf.co m U.S. Player Rankings.
The Avon, Ind. native most recently won the Prestige at PGA West but is coming off a stellar 2013 season in which he finished third at the Northeast Amateur and reached the final 16 in match play at the U.S. Amateur and Western Amateur, where he finished as the stroke-play medalist.
In 2011, he won the Porter Cup and had Top 5s at the Northeast Amateur, The Players, Terra Cotta and Azalea Amateur. In 2012, he was third at the Porter Cup and was in the Top 10 in NCAA regional and championship play.
Via a stat ement on Stanford's official athletics website, GoStanford.co m, Rodgers said:
“I came to this decision with a clear understanding of the impact it might have and had countless conversations with my parents and coach weighing the options and ensuring I made the best decision.
“The reason for coming out with this announcement now is over the past year, there has been growing speculation of what my plans would be. I thought I owed it to the team, to Coach (Conrad) Ray, and Stanford University to get ahead of the situation and come out with it now in order for it to not become a distraction for myself or the team.
“I think we have an amazing team – the best that we’ve had in my three years here – and we have an opportunity to do something special. I want to put all of the focus on trying to win a national championship for the team.”
Rodgers is a two-time first team All-American and ranks as Stanford's all-time career scoring leader, nearly half a stroke better than Tiger Woods.
Rodgers has already experienced a professional event, playing in a number of PGA Tour and Web.com Tour events. His best finish came at the 2013 John Deere Classic where he finished 15th after holding the lead.
“I do intend to come back at some point and finish my education,” Rodgers said to GoStanford.com. “In the very near future, I will be shifting my sole focus on starting my professional golf career. After navigating through the terrain and difficulties that process presents, I intend to complete work towards my Stanford degree.
“I’ve put a priority both on golf and in the classroom. I’m really proud of the work that I’ve done in the classroom and the experiences that I’ve gained. I think it’s a unique university, with the brilliant minds and professors, guest lecturers and all the students who bring so much to the table academically and athletically.”
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