JULIAN Taylor is champing at the bit to take a crack at the professionals when he tees it up at a EuroPro Tour event at the end of the month.

The York GC ace shot 67 69 to win the amateur Moor Allerton Classic at the Leeds course and book a return trip as one of the 156-man field who will contest the Clipper Logistics Players Championship from August 26 to 29.

It will be the first time Taylor, who returned from William Woods University in the United States in May, has played in a EuroPro event and he said he can't wait to pit his wits against the likes of Malton & Norton's Chris Halley and Flamborough's Alex Belt in a tournament which is worth more than £56,000 to the professionals.

"I haven't played many Yorkshire Order of Merit events before but my dad entered me because the winner got an invite to the EuroPro event and I thought, if I played well, it would be an opportunity to play against the professionals," the 22-year-old said.

"I played solidly. I was four under in the morning. I was level par after 12 and then went eagle, birdie, birdie and parred in. I was leading by three in the clubhouse and I felt if I played solidly in the afternoon I would definitely win.

"I ended up winning by seven and it was a great result. I am really looking forward to my first professional event and to see how I go up against them."

Taylor, who has not set a date on when he will join the professional ranks himself, said he was expecting the atmosphere to be more business-like when he gets to Moor Allerton once again.

"When you go to an amateur event you see your friends," he added. "This will be a little bit more serious. If I can play well and shoot what I did before then I can be thereabouts. I want to play well and see how I get on."

The event forms part of a busy month for Taylor, who will also defend his Yorkshire Amateur Championship crown at Fulford.

"That was brilliant last year," he added of his victory at Alwoodley 12 months ago. "It was fantastic and I am looking forward to it. I have played well round Fulford quite a few times and I can't wait."