Sport question about professional golf

pinkchilli


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 689

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 09:25

If an amateur was to win a professional tournament, or come in a position above the "cut", would he/she be entitled to any prize money?



Is it kept in a trust until he turns pro?



If he does not receive it, do the sponsers keep it, or do they simply disregard his winnings and pass it on to the next player?



I'm thinking of Shane Lowry, the Irish amateur golfer who is currently leading the Irish Open after 3 days. Day 4 today, Sunday.



http://scores.europeantour.com/default.sps?pagegid={8455C601-B598-43F0-AE27-8559DC7985DD}&redirectorid=tournament_live&eventid=2009036&ieventno=2009036&infosid=2



Thanks



PS. Would I be correct in thinking, that regardless of any prize money, he would still get any trophies, future invites, etc?

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 09:53

The prize money would automatically go to second place. The amateur winner would get the trophy.

pinkchilli


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 689

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 10:05

Thanks.



Bit of a shame as he stands to win €500,000.00!

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 12:06

Unfortunately he stands to win £000000000000000000000000000000!

trevor


Joined: 02/04/2008
Posts: 244

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 12:18

Am amateur is not allowed to receive any payment whatsoever, if he/she does they are classed as a professional.

pinkchilli


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 689

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 20:07

Well, he did win!



What a fantastic tournament.



A friend of his put €300 at 1000 to 1 to win!

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 20:15

Not a Golfer so I will ask, why cant he win the prize money and whats the point in entering ?

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 20:42

As a professional it is deemed as your profession and as an amateur it is deemed as a hobby ( not a very good description for someone with so much talent ) I think it is unfair but those are the rules of golf. However the European tour has I believe only had 3 amateur winners in the last 35 years and that is the point in entering. Imagine the offers he will have from sponsors if he turns professional now.



One question I would ask though is if he were to turn professional does he now get a 2 year exemption from qualification and automatic entry to European tournaments?

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 20:52

Some really strange rules in this game....'

I sponsored our local golf course with a "hole in one" prize.

After the first week I called in to see how it was going and got chatting to one of the committee men who told me "you do realise only a member can win the prize" and a guest would have to forfit it if he won it, I said that is not very fair is it but he was adamant that was the rules.





Needless to say I pulled the plug and took my prize away.

dodger



Joined: 29/07/2007
Posts: 1895

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 21:02

What a wonderfull achievement by the young man.He will go on to make millions now anyway,

Paul.

SidsPinkFloyd


Joined: 01/09/2008
Posts: 69

Message Posted:
17/05/2009 21:14

The day Tiger Woods turned PRO he made $100,000,000 overnight in sponsorship deals! Although Shane Lowry won't make that much he will do OK.

I believe it is illegal for amateurs to win prize money - that is why most golf clubs give pro shop vouchers to prize board winners.



SPF

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
18/05/2009 09:18

Yes Lowry gets his exemption; but only if he turns pro.

twoexpats


Joined: 09/04/2009
Posts: 189

Message Posted:
18/05/2009 11:49

I think that should read 'when'he turns pro!

pemos


Joined: 13/11/2008
Posts: 626

Message Posted:
18/05/2009 19:56

a ametuer can win up to £500 and retain his ametuer status see r&a rules of golf

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
19/05/2009 10:10

he should have signed his pro papers halfway up the eighteenth!

pinkchilli


Joined: 30/11/2008
Posts: 689

Message Posted:
19/05/2009 16:33

I think you mean just before he "holed" his 15 inch put for the tournament.



He actually went "up the eighteenth" FOUR times on Sunday!



LOL