Sports

Only a sophomore at the University of Texas, the two-time U.S. Junior Amateur champion summed up his decision to join the play-for-pay ranks on campus today. "The decision to turn pro was a difficult one," he said, "but I'm looking forward to the challenge of competing at the highest level and accomplishing the many goals I've set for myself on and off the course. ... While I'm proud of what my teammates and I have accomplished, I couldn't be more excited to fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a professional golfer." Spieth was a First-Team All-American in his only full season in Austin. He and his (now former) fellow Longhorns won the NCAA championship in 2012. The 19-year-old native of Dallas is 5-for-8 on the PGA TOUR with a pair of top 25s. He closes out his amateur career seated eighth in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.