Wenyi Ding turns pro, gives up exemption to 2025 Open Championship and Masters invite

10/7/2024 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

These flags will make for a nice wall decoration, but Ding is forgoing his exemptions

Even though Ding is set to give up his exemptions, he is confident he will make it back to the majors as a professional

Wenyi Ding, one of China's rising stars in amateur golf, has made the bold decision to turn pro immediately, forgoing exemptions into two of the game's most prestigious tournaments—the Open Championship and The Masters. Ding's victory at the 2024 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship secured him a spot in both events, contingent on remaining an amateur. However, he is opting to take advantage of the DP World Tour status he has earned through the Global Amateur Pathway, following a route designed to give non-collegiate amateurs a springboard into professional golf.

Ding’s victory at the Taiheiyo Club in Gotemba, Japan, was the culmination of a stellar amateur career. He carded four consecutive rounds of 67, finishing 12-under and edging out fellow Chinese golfer Ziqin Zhou by a single stroke. The triumph avenged his narrow defeat in 2023, where he lost in a playoff to Jasper Stubbs. With a birdie on the 71st hole, Ding sealed the win and the title that could have opened doors to golf's grandest stages.

However, Ding confirmed after the victory that he would stick to his pre-tournament plan to turn professional, a decision that was not made lightly. In an interview with Golf Digest before the event, the former Arizona State University golfer explained that the opportunity to begin his professional career outweighed the allure of competing in two Majors. "I was really struggling with this decision. I talked with my coaches, friends, and agent. It’s hard to get a tour card as a young player, and this was probably my best chance," Ding shared.

The 19-year-old's decision closes one door but opens another. He will now join the DP World Tour, an avenue opened to him via the Global Amateur Pathway, a relatively new system launched in June. This initiative is designed for non-collegiate amateurs under 20 years old, offering a tour card to the top-ranked golfer who meets the criteria. Ding’s win in Japan solidified his position atop this pathway, making him eligible to take the leap into the professional ranks.

Ding's choice mirrors that of fellow amateur standout Christo Lamprecht of South Africa, who won the Amateur Championship in 2023 but turned professional later that year. While Lamprecht gained experience at The Masters before losing his U.S. Open spot, Ding has decided not to wait for his potential Major start, prioritizing his long-term professional development.

"I can’t sacrifice this tour card for the chance to play The Masters and The Open," Ding admitted. "Hopefully, I can qualify for those events as a professional. Now, I want to focus on improving my game, making cuts, and competing for wins."

Despite the weight of the decision, Ding is confident in his ability to succeed at the professional level. His brief stint in collegiate golf, where he set records and notched several top finishes, has shown that he belongs among the game's top players. In just his second tournament for Arizona State, Ding shot a record 27-under-par to win the Amer Ari Invitational by nine strokes, establishing himself as one of the elite college players before deciding to pivot to professional golf.

Ding’s impressive amateur career, including becoming the first Chinese Male U.S. Junior Amateur Champion in 2022 and the Southern Amateur, as well as reaching World No. 4 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, underscores his potential. Now, the golf world will watch closely as Ding embarks on his journey on the DP World Tour, ready to prove that his talent can carry him to the same grand stages he once opted to bypass.

In the face of great pressure, Wenyi Ding’s decision to turn professional signals not only a milestone in his career but also the start of what could be a remarkable run in professional golf.

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