STONE DECLARES PROFESSIONAL STATUS
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas Men’s Golf freshman All-American Brandon Stone has elected to forego his remaining eligibility and declare professional status, the 2013 Big 12 Player and Newcomer of the Year announced Wednesday.
"I have had an amazing year at The University of Texas and I would like to thank the Texas golf coaches, John Fields, Ryan Murphy and Jean-Paul Hebert, and my teammates for their support," Stone said. "I am very excited to turn professional and get started with the next phase of my golf career. My first start will be at the BMW International Open and I am very grateful for the opportunity BMW is giving me and hope I reward them with a great performance."
Last week, Stone finished tied for second place at the NCAA Championship and was tabbed the Phil Mickelson Freshman of the Year and a PING First Team All-American. Stone was crowned the Big 12 Conference Championship medalist in April after besting the field by three shots at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kan., for his third collegiate victory where he also led the Longhorns to their first conference title since 2004. He was the only freshman among the 10 semifinalists for the 2013 Ben Hogan Award.
Stone, the No. 2 collegiate player in the season-ending Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings and a three-time Big 12 Conference Golfer of the Month, amassed seven top-five finishes in 12 starts throughout the season.
Stone now joins a fraternity of legendary Texas Men's Golf letterwinners playing on the professional circuits including Jhonattan Vegas, Harrison Frazer, Bob Estes, Dylan Frittelli, Jordan Spieth, Tom Kite, Justin Leonard, and Ben Crenshaw.
The Brandon Stone File
• 2013 Phil Mickelson Freshman of the Year
• 2013 PING All-American (First Team)
• 2013 NCAA Championship individual runner-up
• 2013 Big 12 Conference Championship medalist
• 2013 Big 12 Player of the Year
• 2013 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year
• 2013 Ben Hogan Award semifinalist
• 2013 PING All-Region
• 2013 All-Big 12 Team
• Three-time medalist (Carpet Capital Collegiate, Bayou City Collegiate, Big 12 Championship)
• No. 2 men’s collegiate individual per season-ending Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
SOURCE: University of Texas Athletic Department
