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Thompson teesoff "Alabama's Golf Insider" teesoff Thompson teesoff 4.17.14 All the latest news from the local golf scene... ...Next WEEK! Since leaving the University of Alabama early after his sophomore year, Justin Thomas hasn't missed a beat in the pro ranks. Towards the end of last year, he earned his Web. com Tour card for 2014 via the annual qualifying tournament. After three rounds of the six-round marathon he was well back in 122nd place after a rough third round, but he came through when it really mattered with a closing round 65 to finish inside the all-im- portant top 45 and ties in a tie for 32nd place. This guaranteed him full status on this year's Web.com Tour through two reshuffles and thus, if he got off to a solid start on this tour that "feeds" the PGA Tour, he would be fully exempt all year. He has most certainly done so with finishes of T-5, T-12, T-15, T-5 and second to stand fifth on the mon- ey list with earnings of $141,577 from his five starts. Couple that with a T-10 in the PGA Tour's Farmers Insurance Open, which earned him over $140,000 in that one event, and he must be pleased with his progress. Thomas had a stellar junior and college career before turning professional after playing, with team- mates Cory Whitsett, Bobby Wyatt and Gavin Moyni- han, in the Walker Cup last summer. He won six times in the two years he played for the Crimson Tide and was part of last year's national championship winning team. He was also named College Player of the Year in 2012, his freshman year, garnering the Nicklaus and Haskins Awards. "I had an awesome time at Alabama. I achieved everything I could have dreamed of -- and more -- in my two years there. And to go out (end his amateur career) as part of a winning Walker Cup team…that was very special. I couldn't have scripted it any bet- ter." This level-headed young man hails from Goshen, near Louisville, Ky. "Big picture, I plan to play the Web.com Tour all season and hopefully finish high enough (top 25 on the final money list) to earn my PGA Tour card (for 2015)." Click our Icon to Subscribe! Justin Thomas Former University of Alabama golfer Justin Thomas is enjoying life in the professional ranks