Outstanding Melbourne amateur Todd Sinnott has another reason to turn pro after winning his PGA Tour of Australasia card at Q-School today.
But when and where Sinnott will exercise that option remains the burning question.
As his Golf Australia national squad teammates battled it out over the road in the Australian Master of the Amateurs at Royal Melbourne, Sinnott potentially cashed in on his excellent recent form in pro events at Victoria Golf Club.
The Metropolitan member, who captivated a national audience with back-to-back bold showings at the Australian Masters and Emirates Australian Open in November, fired a closing 66 to finish second today.
Only twin birdies by New South Welshman Ed Stedman to close his round won him medal honours and prevented Sinnott from beating home a field of seasoned pros.
Two other amateurs – Aaron Wilkin and Charles Wright – earned the same tour status as Sinnott by finishing sixth and 18th respectively.
The ranking, alongside such revered professionals as Matt Millar, Michael Long and Leigh McKechnie, will likely allow them direct entry into all but bar the tier one events on the Aussie PGA Tour.
But it’s how they go about turning pro and taking up these options that will create much interest – particularly around the power-hitting Sinnott.
“It’s very exciting, it sets me up a little bit now,” Sinnott said.
“Before this week we had plans, but you need to get your card to make those plans happen so it’s good that I have set myself up.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure … I will probably go pro pretty soon, but I’m not sure exactly when. I need to assess all my options.”
In order to take up his place on the PGA Tour of Australasia, Sinnott need just turn professional at any stage throughout the 2015 season.
Wright’s excitement was magnified by a superb hole-in-one on Victoria’s 178m par-three 16th hole.