June 13, 2005

LAS VEGAS - Former UNLV student-athlete and the world's top-ranked amateur golfer, Ryan Moore, has chosen to turn professional the week after the U.S. Open.

Moore has accepted a sponsor's exemption to the Barclays Classic on the PGA Tour at Westchester Country Club in Harrison, N.Y., June 20-26.

As a senior at UNLV this past season, Moore completed one of the most accomplished college careers in golf history. In May, he was given the Ben Hogan Award, presented annually to the nation's best college golfer. He also won the 2005 Nicklaus Award, given annually to the most outstanding player in NCAA Division I golf, as well as the Golfstat Cup, earned by turning in the lowest yearly scoring average in NCAA events.

Moore, a four-time All-American, enjoyed unmatched success last year, winning the U.S. Amateur crown, the NCAA Championship, the U.S. Amateur Public Links title, the Western Amateur and the Sahalee Players Championship.

A member of past Walker Cup and Palmer Cup teams, Moore, 22, is UNLV's all-time winningest golfer with seven titles, including three this season.

Moore finished first in the NCAA this season in par-4 and par-5 scoring with averages of 3.93 and 4.53, respectively. He was second in the country on par 3s (3.01).