ESPN.com - Golf Online - British Open 2000 - Gossett decides to turn professional

Associated Press
Saturday, July 22

ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- David Gossett, the U.S. Amateur champion who missed the cut at the British Open, has decided to turn pro.


	David Gossett has played the first three majors of 2000 as an amateur.

He'll make his debut at the Qwest International in Castle Rock, Colo., on Aug. 3-6.

The 21-year-old Texan, who had the lowest amateur score at The Masters in April, made his announcement after missing the Open cut by five strokes with rounds of 71 and 78 (149).

"I've had the chance to play with some of the best golfers in the world this year," he said. "The things I have observed and learned from them have helped me in making this difficult decision."

Gossett hopes he doesn't go the same way as the last young English amateur star to turn pro after the Open.

Justin Rose, then 17, made headlines when he chipped in at the final hole to tie for fourth place at the 1998 British Open at Birkdale.

He turned pro the next day but went on a disastrous run of 21 missed cuts in a row and wound up losing his European Tour card.

Among Gossett's highlights this season were playing the final round at The Masters with Jack Nicklaus, playing the first two rounds of the U.S. Open with Nicklaus, and playing the first two rounds of the British Open with Tiger Woods.