Walker Cup hero Cormac Sharvin has turned professional and will make his debut in Australia next week.

The 23-year old, now former University of Stirling player from Ardglass, is in the field for the PGA Tour of Australasia's $300,000 Oates Vic Open at the 13th Beach Golf Links' Beach Course in Barwon Heads, Victoria, from February 4-7.

Winner of three points out of three for Great Britain and Ireland in last year's record-setting Walker Cup win over the United States at Royal Lytham and St Annes, the Co Down man was due to graduate from university next May.

We understand he will sign with a major international management agency and details of this and his decision to start his professional career in Australia will be officially announced early next week.

Sharvin birdied the 18th to beat Paul Dunne one up in the final of the 2013 Irish Amateur Close Championship at Connemara Golf Links and claimed last season's Brabazon Trophy to cement his place in the Walker Cup side.

He is regarded by many as one of the most talented Irish amateurs to emerge since Rory McIlroy