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Greg Oden and Kevin Durant were the first two picks in the NBA Draft last month. Both are now millionaires, and neither have ever played in an NBA game.

Jamie Lovemark (Getty Images)

The Oakland Raiders are counting on JaMarcus Russell to turn around their beleaguered franchise and take them out of the NFL cellar. JaMarcus hasn't played his first game either.

Perhaps no other sport is more difficult to break into for top amateurs than professional golf. But, it is the only sport that allows amateurs to compete in official competition with the best professionals in the sport without compromising their amateur status.

Jamie Lovemark, the freshman collegiate player of the year from USC, teed it up in the inaugural AT&T National hosted by Tiger Woods last week. Earlier this summer, he lost in a playoff on the Nationwide Tour to veteran Chris Riley.

With all this experience, Lovemark has remained steadfast in his conviction that he will return to college despite the numerous playing opportunities and financial rewards.

Interestingly enough, Jamie made the cut in Tiger's tournament and played the final round with Sean O'Hair. The 24-year-old O'Hair turned professional back in 1999, when he was only 17 years old.

At 22, Sean earned Rookie of the Year honors on the PGA TOUR. That 2005 season included a win at this week's John Deere Classic. No word on whether Sean and Jamie discussed the advantages and pitfalls of an early entry to the pro ranks. Jamie doesn't strike me as the kind of person who is going to be easily influenced.

Sean is more the exception than the rule. Cautionary tales of careers permanently damaged by the disappointment that comes with playing for a living are rarely heeded by young upstarts.

But what is the point of being young if you can't be a little foolish. Perhaps it is only with the ignorant blinders of youth that such a pursuit should be undertaken. For those, like Sean, the reward is worth the immense struggle.

It is at this time of year that the tough decision of turning professional is made by the best amateurs in the world.

Pablo Martin, the talented Spaniard, is forgoing his senior year at Oklahoma State. With a pencil check in the box marked "professional" on his U.S. Open application, he left the innocence of amateur golf behind.

In addition to competing in the U.S. Open, Pablo is eligible for seven sponsors exemptions on the PGA TOUR. He will be trying to do what Ryan Moore did two years ago -- avoid qualifying school by using those exemptions to earn enough money to become an exempt player.

Luke List, the outstanding Vanderbilt product, will be competing with Martin for more than a spot in the top 125 on the money list.

List, who played out his collegiate eligibility, will be competing with Martin and a handful of other young hopefuls for the attention of tournament directors for coveted spots in their fields.

Anthony Kim has averaged 69.14 strokers during the fourth round this year. (Getty Images)

Like Martin, List's accomplishments in the amateur ranks and collegiate golf have generated interest in his future. The immediate success of young players like J.B. Holmes, Ryan Moore and rookie Anthony Kim add fuel to the conversational speculation.

Anthony Kim turned professional late last summer. Although granted only a single exemption, Anthony nearly made the most of it.

Anthony finished in a tie for second at the Valero Texas Open. The top-ten finish earned him a spot the following week at the Viking Classic.

His tie for 16th in Mississippi was his only other start of the 2006 season. With the confidence garnered from success on the PGA Tour Anthony breezed through Qualifying School.

Through the AT&T National, the host Tiger Woods does not have the lowest final round stroke average on the PGA TOUR this year. That distinction goes to the young confident rookie -- Anthony Kim.

While Jamie Lovemark plans to play out at least another season of amateur golf, he will still have opportunities to play with the big boys.

The decision to turn pro will come in time. Luke List and Pablo Martin have jumped into the murky and sometimes treacherous waters of professional golf.

In professional golf, nothing is assured. The learning curve arcs much steeper for some than it does for others. Being young, talented and motivated is a wonderful thing.

Turning all of those things into sustained success is a considerably more difficult.