As we approach the end of the year, most people are expecting an influx of new players to hit the tour next season. More often than not it is the amateur circuit that is the source for such players, with most deciding to turn professional after successful stints in the weaker tournaments.
In a lot of cases, it’s not yet known whether these amateurs will decide to make the step up and become professional next year. However, if their performance over the past twelve months is anything to go by, they are very likely to be considering such a move. Keep these three players in mind for betting offers early in their career. Bearing the above in mind, we’ll now take a look at the top three performing amateurs over the 2012 campaign.
Bobby Wyatt
There has been plenty of hype about Bobby Wyatt over the past couple of years, with the youngster first coming to prominence after hitting a 57 in the 2010 Alabama Boys State Championship. Since then, he has certainly kicked on and as well as being a key player for his university, Alabama, he has also unlocked various personal achievements. For example, his average score of 71.70 through eleven tournaments shouldn’t be sniffed at, with such a record helping him win the Sunnehanna Amateur and come 2nd in both the Southern Amateur and Players Amateur.
Those who have watched Wyatt claim his ball striking is second to none, while his short game is also very impressive. Considering all the above, you just have to wonder how long until Wyatt decides that his skills are adequate for the professional tour.
Justin Thomas
This is another Alabama university amateur player, with Thomas also having a hugely successful 2011-12 season. This happened to be his freshman year although this was never going to daunt him, with the youngster enrolling at the university having already been classed as one of the top five players in the country. This was probably following his impressive 2009 Wyndam Championship performance, after he became one of the youngest players to make a cut in the history of the PGA Tour.
He has certainly built on his initial reputation through the past season and after being named the National Freshman of the Year and National Player of the Year, people are again starting to wonder just when he will decide to make the professional move. His scoring average is even better than Wyatt at 70.44, with this helping him record nine top-10 finishes out of twelve tournaments.
Chris Williams
Now a senior, Williams is the most experienced out of the three. He has been attending the University of Washington and is already regarded as one of the most successful players the school has ever seen. Williams has taken home many accolades already in his short career, with the Phil Mickelson Freshman of the Year being one of the top awards. Williams recently commented that his dream was to play in the US masters betting on this outcome would give you huge odds at this stage.
In terms of recent tournaments, he has succeeded in the 2012 Western Amateur Championship and the Bandon Dunes Championship, as well as representing the USA in the Walker Cup in 2011. With Williams now set to finish his education, many are speculating that he will turn professional in the not too distant future.