Sinnott takes plunge into professional career at 13th Beach

NEW professional Todd Sinnott has always ben able to drive for show, but when it comes to putting for dough this week he can only hope he handles the pressure.

Sinnott, 22, shot to prominence last November when he led both the Australian Masters and Open as an amateur while sharing rounds with Adam Scott and world No.1 Rory McIlroy, taking in everything they did and said.

He secured his Australasian PGA Tour card in January, fast-tracked his plan to turn professional and the big hitter will make his tournament debut as a pro at this week’s Victorian Open at 13th Beach.

Sinnott is confident his lengthy schooling as an amateur will help with his preparations. But when it comes time to make the cut with the putter on Friday, or to win a couple more bucks on Sunday, he is not so sure.

“Psychologically you could make it different, but I’m trying not to,” Sinnott said yesterday. “I’ve been playing a lot of pro events lately, so I know what to expect.

“I hope I just approach it the same way. It could have a positive or negative influence on the way you go about it.

“A lot of guys in interviews talk about the fact the money does drive them. I’m not sure yet. I’ll find out soon enough.”

The pressure to make money has been eased somewhat after confirmation yesterday that Sinnott will join new female professionals Minjee Lee and Su-Hyun Oh in Golf Australia’s 2015 “rookie squad”.

They will all receive funding and specialist assistance throughout the year to help them transition from amateurs to professionals.

Sinnott, who is pretty sure he has worked his last shift picking up balls at the Riverside driving range in Essendon, said that help will allow him to focus on just playing golf.

“I’m still working at Riverside, but I could have potentially worked my last shift.

“I’ve got five events in the next six weeks, I don’t think I’ll have time to work.”

The Aussie summer of golf featured a swag of stellar performances from local amateurs including Sinnott, Lucas Herbert, Antonio Murdaca and Ryan Ruffles, who are all playing this week.

“I haven’t set any goals this week in relation to where I am going to finish. I just want to treat it the same as every week and see where I end up,” Sinnott said.

Masters winner Nick Cullen headlines the men’s entries for this week’s event, while defending champion Stacey Keating is returning for a shot at back to back women’s titles.