Oh, 19, Will Try to Qualify for PGA Tour in October

James Oh of Lakewood, the 1998 U.S. junior golf champion, has turned professional and will try to earn his PGA Tour card in October, he said Thursday.

Oh, 19, was a two-time junior All-American in 1998-99 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 1999 U.S. Amateur as senior at Lakewood High. He played at Nevada Las Vegas last season but withdrew after completing his freshman year.

“I feel like I’ve been playing a long time and it’s time to give it a shot,” Oh said. “College just wasn’t working out.”

Oh said he may play in some mini-tour events, and plans to play in a Monday qualifier for the Buy.com Tour Utah Classic on Aug. 27. He has already submitted an application for the October PGA Tour qualifying tournament and is currently negotiating with an agent and sponsors.