Standout amateur Matthew Wolff dazzles in PGA Tour debut
Matthew Wolff broke onto the scene in a big way during his PGA Tour debut Thursday, firing a 4-under 67 during Round 1 of the Waste Management Phoenix Open to sit near the top of the tournament's early leaderboard.
The 19-year-old sophomore at golf-crazed Oklahoma State University is competing at TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course as an amateur after receiving a sponsor's exemption for this week's event.
His extremely unique yet powerful swing has him ranked third in driving distance with an average of 328 yards. He hit 10 of 14 fairways in Round 1 while only missing two greens in regulation.
Here's a look at his move:
Matthew Wolff is -3 thru 14 in his PGA TOUR debut.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 31, 2019
🔸19 years old
🔸Attends @okstate
🔸1st-team All-American as a freshman last year
🔸 Won three straight collegiate events in the fall
And a swing you have never seen before. 😯 pic.twitter.com/rdoMo4NwS7
Wolff made headlines last year as a standout during Oklahoma State's national championship run. He was first-team All-American as a freshman and won three straight NCAA events in the fall. He's also ranked fourth in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
The Phoenix Open has been a launching pad for top amateurs in the past, with players such as Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm having had successful showings as teenagers.
Regardless of how the rest of his week winds up, Matthew Wolff is a name worth remembering.
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