Luke Clanton has revealed whether he plans to turn professional in the near future, with the 20-year-old just three shots off the lead heading into the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic on the PGA Tour.
Luke Clanton is very much in contention to emulate Nick Dunlap and win on the PGA Tour as an amateur this season, with the youngster shooting the lowest round of the day on Saturday in Detroit.
Dunlap became the first amateur to win on the tour in 33 years when he clinched victory at The American Express earlier this year. Dunlap missed out on winning around $1.5 million in prize money that weekend, but he swiftly decided to turn professional and join the PGA Tour full-time.
So all eyes may have been on Clanton to see whether he would follow in his footsteps as a brilliant finish seemingly looms this week – particularly after he finished tied for 41st at the US Open earlier this month.
Luke Clanton shares whether he could turn professional in near future
But speaking in his press conference after his third round, Clanton insisted that he is not going to get carried away, as he was asked how long he plans to remain an amateur for.
“All four years, I love Florida State. I think Trey Jones and all those guys back home have done such a great job and it’s been awesome,” he said.
Nick Dunlap’s decision may leave Clanton with food for thought
Dunlap’s fortunes may well have influenced Clanton’s decision to not rush into a move to turn professional, as the 20-year-old has not found the going easy since that amazing victory earlier this year.
Dunlap has not finished in the top 10 since the win, while he has missed five cuts – he is yet to make the weekend at a major championship in his career.
Of course, he would have always expected that it was not going to be easy finding his way on the professional stage, even as a winner. But some may perhaps wonder whether he may have been hasty in his decision earlier this year.
Clanton is clearly not going to deviate from his current path, regardless of what happens in the final round in Detroit.
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