Ole Miss star golfer Thornberry turning pro
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss senior Braden Thornberry announced Friday that he was turning pro and would forego the spring college season. He revealed the news via a letter on the school’s website addressed to “Rebel Nation.”
“This decision has been years in the making, ready to be made when the time is right. That time is now. My journey has led me to this point. Mentally, I am ready,” wrote Thornberry, an Olive Branch native.
Thornberry told Golfweek last month that he would turn pro if he finished in the top 40 and ties at the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament – a finish that would earn him significant Web.com Tour status. He also indicated that he may still turn pro if he failed to finish top 40 and ties but placed in the middle of the field.
Thornberry did just that in a T-74 showing in the 135-man field. Thornberry has conditional status on the Web.com Tour in 2019 via reaching the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament (also known as the final stage of Web.com Tour Q-School).
Even though Thornberry’s leaving early, what a mark he has left on his program.
The Ole Miss star departs as the winningest player in the program’s history thanks to 11 tournament victories. He was the 2017 NCAA individual champion and the Haskins Award winner that year, too.
Thornberry has already made a mark on the PGA Tour, having finished T-4 as an amateur at last year’s FedEx St. Jude Classic. He qualified for the U.S. Open this year too and overall has made five PGA Tour starts as an amateur.
In his announcement, Thornberry noted that he will continue to live in Oxford, Miss., as he embarks on his pro journey.