Amateur standout Peter Uilhlein in no hurry to turn pro
Oklahoma State sensation Peter Uihlein has done it all at the amateur level. The 21-year-old is the reigning U.S. Amateur champion; owns a 4-0 record in the Walker Cup; won the Mark H. McCormack medal as the top ranked amateur golfer; and added the Dixie Amateur and Sahalee Players Championship to his resume, for good measure, last year.
Hard as it is to believe, he's accomplished all of these feats in only two years of college. After reaching amateur golf's highest peak, you'd think Uihlein would be ready to turn pro.
Except that's not the case. Crazy as it sounds, the college junior wants to hang around school for another year. While teenage sensations Matteo Manassero and Ryo Ishikawa, both of whom are playing in the Transitions Championship, enjoy jet setting around the globe, Uihlein continues to enjoy a life of eating pizza with his friends and cramming for exams.
"I'm going to be there for four years. I'm going to finish up. I love it in Stillwater," Uihlein said on Wednesday. "Surprising, but I do love it out there. I love all of the people and I love the school. So if I can go more, I would. But four years."
Most guys in Uihlein's position would probably consider turning pro at this point. That why it's refreshing to see golf's top amateur enjoying life and wanting to hang around college for another year. With so many people wanting a piece of you when you turn pro, it's clear Uihlein wants to spend the next couple of years just being kid and improving his game, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Uihlein won't miss out on much by staying in school. He received an invitation to play in the Transitions Championship, and seems to be making the most of the opportunity after firing a 1-under 70 in the opening round. Only six shots back of Paul Casey, he's put himself in position to make his first professional cut.
Plus, with the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open to look forward to this year as the U.S. Amateur champion, turning pro can wait a little longer.
