A college golf career is a tried and trusted way for many players to hone their skills in a competitive environment and open doors via distinct pathways to the professional game. However, it is by no means the only way to lay the groundwork for a successful career.
Some of the world’s best players made their names without the benefit of a college golf career. Here are nine of the most notable.
Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood turned professional aged 19
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The Englishman had a glittering amateur career including victories in the 2009 Scottish Amateur Stroke Play Championship and the English Amateur the year after. He also finished runner-up in the 2008 Amateur before representing Great Britain and Ireland in the 2009 Walker Cup, all of which helped him reach third in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
While a stint at a top US university would have appeared a natural step for Fleetwood, he instead opted to make the leap to the professional game at the age of just 19.
It’s hard to argue with his decision as he has since claimed multiple victories in his professional career. He had also finished in the top 10 of a Major eight times by the end of 2024 and has represented Europe in three editions of the Ryder Cup, including the 2023 win at Marco Simone.
Sergio Garcia
Sergio Garcia’s talent was spotted early
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Spaniard Garcia’s transition from the amateur game to the professional ranks bears similarities with Fleetwood’s.
He had been earmarked as a potential star from a young age and won his first club championship when he was 12. Three years later, he became the youngest player to make the cut at a European tour event in the 1995 Turespana Open Mediterranea.
There were also team appearances in the Eisenhower Trophy and the Junior Ryder Cup, while he also won The Amateur at Muirfield in 1998. A year later, Garcia was The Masters low amateur and that was enough to persuade him to turn professional.
He has since enjoyed one of the best professional careers of his era, including becoming the record Ryder Cup points scorer and returning to the scene of his low amateur achievement for arguably his greatest moment as a golfer – winning The Masters at Augusta National in 2017.
Tyrrell Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton turned pro the year after…
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