Twitter - @fesjcmemphis Barbaree, NeSmith feature
Philip Barbaree was the 2015 Rolex Junior Player of the Year and is making his PGA TOUR debut at the 2016 FedEx St. Jude Classic.
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Matthew NeSmith was the 2012 Rolex Junior Player of the Year before playing golf at the University of South Carolina.
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By Chris Richards, AJGA Communications
With the title of Rolex Junior Player of the Year comes prestige and a place in AJGA history. Since 2007, the title has also come with a sponsor's exemption into the FedEx St. Jude Classic, played annually at TPC Southwind.
Philip Barbaree is continuing that tradition this week in Memphis, Tennessee, as the 17-year-old will make his PGA TOUR debut when he tees off Thursday at 2 p.m. CDT. He's the third Rolex Junior Player of the Year to make his TOUR debut at TPC Southwind, as six others had previously competed against the pros.
“I don’t know exactly what to expect,” Barbaree said in an article on the FedEx St. Jude Classic website. “I’m sure I’ll be nervous on the first tee. I’d like to play well, but my priority is to just enjoy the week. Jumping from junior golf to the PGA TOUR, that’s a big step.”
His credentials solidify his spot among the world's best, even if he is the youngest player in the 156-player field. He's the reigning champ of the U.S. Junior Amateur and the Rolex Tournament of Champions, and he is currently No. 69 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
While Barbaree is continuing a tradition, Matthew NeSmith may be starting a new one. He was the 2012 Rolex Junior Player of the Year, and this week he is making his pro debut three years after he made his second PGA TOUR appearance as an amateur in 2013.
“It’s a little bit ironic, but it’s definitely pretty cool to come back here as a professional and play,” NeSmith told StJudeClassic.com. “When I started trying to get an exemption to play my first PGA TOUR event, this just seemed to be a great fit. I just feel blessed to be in a position to be able to try and do this for a living.”
Rolex Junior Players of the Year at the FedEx St. Jude Classic
2015 – Sam Burns (MC, 72-75)
2014 – Scott Scheffler (MC, 71-76)
2013 – Matthew NeSmith (MC, 73-76)
2012 – Cody Proveaux (MC, 75-71)
2011 – Anthony Paolucci (MC, 74-75)
2010 – Jordan Spieth (MC, 73-69)
2009 – Cameron Peck (MC, 69-73)
2007 – Philip Francis (MC, 78-79)