Florida men’s golf senior Fred Biondi announced his decision to begin his professional career Monday. Biondi chose to take his career in golf to the next level starting this weekend at the BMW Charity Pro-Am on the Korn Ferry Tour.
The decision comes after Biondi took home the National Collegiate Athletic Association individual championship May 29 and led the Gators to their fifth NCAA national championship May 31.
“It’s not many times in golf you play as a team,” Biondi said. “It’s definitely special to win this especially with the whole team together.”
The Brazilian will make his first pro appearance at this week’s BMW Charity Pro-Am event on the Korn Ferry Tour.
After hitting a routine par on the final hole of the 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship, Biondi and his team brought the first place trophy back to Gainesville.
"I promised J.C. when I first got to school that I would work as hard as I could to try and bring him a ring or two," Biondi said.
The decision to remain amateur would have allowed Biondi the opportunity to accept his invitation to compete in the 2024 Masters Tournament.
However, his second-place finish in the Professional Golfers’ Association’s PGA Tour U program earned him full status for the remaining 14 events of the Korn Ferry Tour season.
Biondi also chose to withdraw from U.S. Open qualifying with the NCAA championships just days behind him and his first professional appearance due this weekend.
Florida won the national title for the first time in over 20 years. As Biondi said his goodbyes to college golf, he acknowledged the legacy he’d be leaving behind.
“Now, not just my name, but our names are on the wall together,” Biondi said. “We become a part of history together.”
Contact Madilyn Destefano at mdestefano@alligtor.org. Follow her on Twitter @DestefanoMadi.
