Would get taken to the woodshed by many hundreds/thousands Amateurs, college golfers and pros nationwide. Yet alone Worldwide. It is such a very small, minute % that make it on the Tour. Also remember it is harder playing $$$ to feed your family compared to a round w/the Investment boys on a Saturday Country Club round.
If he was truly that next level that had a chance after national tournaments/qualifying like P (Summerhays) does, you make a go of it. If after several years you don’t make it / thru Q school then you bag it. But to say the lifestyle didn’t fit him so he gave it up...not even trying was prob because he realized he wasn’t at the top level and it would be very hard to stick. No shame in that. Welcome to 99.8% of the golfing population. But IMO that would be the reason. I just wasn’t good enough either.