THE FLATS – Seth Reeves challenges for another victory on the Korn Ferry Tour but comes up short … PGA Tour season ends for Matt Kuchar and Richy Werenski, but the U.S. Open awaits for both … Andy Ogletree in field for LocaliQ Series … More below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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PGA TOUR UPDATE
The 2019-20 PGA Tour season came to a close for Matt Kuchar and Richy Werenski, neither posting a strong enough performance last weekend to join the 30-man field for this week’s Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
Werenski tied for 20th place at last weekend’s BMW Championship outside of Chicago, finishing the 2020 campaign in 39th place in FedEx Cup points, the best performance of his career to date. Kuchar slipped to 62nd place in points after his tie for 59th place at the BMW, with his wife, Sybi, on his bag after Kuchar split with his longtime caddie, John Woods.
It is only the second time in 11 years that Kuchar has missed playing at East Lake, but the nine-time PGA Tour winner is in the field for the U.S. Open on Sept. 17-20 and the Masters in November. Werenski also has a spot in the 144-player U.S. Open field.
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KORN FERRY TOUR UPDATE
Last weekend’s Korn Ferry Tour Championship did not signal the end of the 2020 season as it usually does. The wrap-around season continues the next five weeks with four events rescheduled from the spring and one new tournament in October.
Seth Reeves made a bid for his second Korn Ferry Tour victory in the last month, holding a share of the lead after 36 holes, but wound up in a tie for third place at 16-under-par 272. After missing six straight curs coming out of the Covid-19 shutdown, Reeves has a win, a tie for 18th and a tie for third in his last five events, moving up to 13th in the current Korn Ferry Tour points standings.
Continuing his strong play since the return to golf was Ollie Schniederjans, who tied for 12th place at 12-under-par 276. With four top-10 finishes since the resumption of play, Schniederjans has advanced to 28th place in points.
After a streak of five missed cuts, J.T. Griffin has rebounded with ties for 37th and 42nd places in the last two weeks. He shot 6-under 282 at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship and ranks 58th in points. Paul Haley II missed the cut and slipped to No. 30.
Anders Albertson took last week off but returns this week to the site of his 2018 title at the Lincoln Land Championship in Springfield, Mo. Griffin also is in the field, while Nicholas Thompson returns to action after a week off and PGA Tour rookie Vincent Whaley joins them. Reeves and Haley are idle.
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LOCALiQ SERIES UPDATE
The LOCALiQ Series is leaving the Peach State behind for Alabama and this week’s Invitational at Auburn University Club. Tournament action begins Tuesday. Concluding this week is The Southern Company Swing, with only two players still in the running for the $7,500 first prize based on the Race to The Bahamas Points Standings. The Southern Company Swing rewards the player who accumulates the most points in the Series’ first four tournaments. The second-place finisher will walk away with $2,500, courtesy of the Southern Company.
Chris Petefish, though not in the running for the Southern Company prizes, has tied for 23rd, seventh and 47th in the three events played so far, and sits 19th in the points standings. This week he is joined in the field by 2020 graduate Andy Ogletree, the only amateur in the field. Ogletree, who has berths in the fields for the U.S. Open Sept. 17-20 and the Masters in November by virtue of his 2019 U.S. Amateur triumph, has played in three PGA TOUR events in 2020, missing the cut at the Charles Schwab Challenge, the RBC Heritage and the Memorial Tournament.
The LocaliQ Series, the U.S.-based tournament series designed for members of the PGA Tours in Canada, Latino America and China, has four remaining events, culminating in the LocaliQ Series Championship at Nassau, Bahamas in late October.
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PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS UPDATE
Larry Mize tied for 59th at the Charles Schwab Series at Ozarks National last weekend, only the fourth event since the senior tour resumed competition. The former Masters champion posted 2-under-par 211 and sits at 59th in Schwab Cup points. The tour is off until mid-September when it resumes South Dakota.
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U.S. OPEN UPDATE
Four Yellow Jackets – Chesson Hadley, Matt Kuchar, Andy Ogletree (a) and Richy Werenski – will be in the 144-player field for the 120th U.S. Open Championship, which will be held Sept. 17-20 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.
The United States Golf Association is building its field entirely on exemptions, with no qualifying held this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Monday, the USGA announced the addition of 16 competitors – five from the recently completed three-tournament series on the Korn Ferry Tour and eleven based on the Official World Golf Ranking – bringing the field to 139 players. Five more slots will be filled in the coming weeks.
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#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
A pretty cool story here! @CharlieRymerPGA spoke with some World Am participants who have played in all 37 events.
Good luck this week!#MBWorldAm #MyrtleBeachGolf pic.twitter.com/fMle0oXxbv
— Myrtle Beach Golf (@MyrtleBeachGolf) August 30, 2020
Never a doubt. 🐦@seth_reeves is just three back after sinking a deep birdie on No. 17. pic.twitter.com/BjXxKCSsnD
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) August 29, 2020
That’s good luck, right @seth_reeves? 🦌 pic.twitter.com/zZb3L9k92d
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) August 29, 2020
UPCOMING EVENTS (subject to change)
- PGA Tour: Tour Championship • September 4-7, 2020 • East Lake Golf Club • Atlanta, Ga. • Purse: $10,000,000
- Korn Ferry Tour: Lincoln Land Championship • September 3-6, 2020 • Panther Creek Country Club • Springfield, Ill. • Purse: $600,000
- PGA Tour Champions: Sanford International • September 11-13, 2020 • Minnehaha Country Club • Sioux Falls, S.D. • Purse: $1,800,000
- LocaliQ Series: The Invitational at Auburn University • September 1-3, 2020 • Auburn University Club • Auburn, Ala.
- All Pro Tour: Sand Creek Championship • September 15-17, 2020 • Sand Creek Station Golf Club • Newton, Kan. • Purse: $120,000
- G Pro Tour: Columbia Open • September 16-18, 2020 • Columbia Country Club • Blythewood, S.C.
- SwingThought Tour: ST15/Sandpiper • September 9-10, 2020 • Sandpiper Golf Club • Santa Barbara, Calif.
PLAYER PLAYER LAST WEEK DATA ANDERS ALBERTSON
Hometown: Woodstock, Ga.
Turned pro: 2015
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-15
Status: PGA TourDid not play FedEx Cup points ranking: 236
YTD earnings: $8,760
KFT points ranking: 126
YTD earnings (KFT): $14,525
Career earnings (PGAT): $556,905
Career earnings (KFT): $929,956 STEWART CINK
Hometown: Florence, Ala.
Residence: Duluth, Ga.
Turned pro: 1995
Years at Georgia Tech: 1991-95
Status: PGA Tour/PGA Tour ChampionsPGA Tour Champions
The Ally Challenge
WonSchwab Cup points ranking: 19
YTD Earnings (Champions): $144,315
Career earnings (Champions): $787,185
FedEx Cup points ranking: 171
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $273,786
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $43,800,650 WILL DICKSON
Hometown: Providence, R.I.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2021
Years at Georgia Tech: 2017-21
Status: Developmental toursDid not play GPro Points ranking: 20
YTD Earnings (GPro): $4,797
Career earnings (GPro): $59,704
Points ranking (KFT): 193
YTD earnings (KFT): $4,538
Points ranking (FET): 154
YTD earnings (FET): $2,571 DAVID DUVAL
Hometown: Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Residence: Denver, Colo.
Turned pro: 1993
Years at Georgia Tech: 1989-93
Status: PGA Tour ChampionsPGA Tour Champions
The Ally Challenge
T-5Schwab Cup Points ranking: 47
YTD earnings (Champions): $251,181
Career earnings (Champions): $545,141
Career earnings (PGAT): $18,983,931 J.T. GRIFFIN
Hometown: Wilson, N.C.
Residence: Marietta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2011
Years at Georgia Tech: 2007-11
Status: Korn Ferry TourDid not play Fortinet Cup points: n/a
YTD earnings (Canada): n/a
Career earnings (Canada): $29,836
Career earnings (KFT): $187,056 CHESSON HADLEY
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Turned pro: 2010
Years at Georgia Tech: 2006-10
Status: PGA TourDid not play FedEx Cup points ranking: 136
YTD earnings: $515,103
Career earnings: $12,239,163 SHUN YAT HAK
Hometown: Hong Kong
Turned pro: 2013
Years at Georgia Tech: 2012-13
Status: PGA Tour ChinaDid not play Fortinet Cup points: n/a
YTD earnings: n/a
Career earnings: ¥251,305 PAUL HALEY II
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Turned pro: 2011
Years at Georgia Tech: 2007-11
Status: PGA TourDid not play FedEx Cup points: 204
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $9,160
KFT points ranking: 203
YTD earnings (KFT): $9,160
Career earnings (PGAT): $837,353
Career earnings (KFT): $1,098,205 CONNOR HOWE
Hometown: Ogden, Utah
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2023
Years at Georgia Tech: 2018-23
Status: PGA Tour CanadaDid not play KFT points ranking: 159
YTD earnings (KFT): $32,406
Fortinet Cup points ranking: n/a
YTD earnings (Canada): $n/a MATT KUCHAR
Hometown:
Lake Mary, Fla.
Residence: Sea Island, Ga.
Turned pro: 2000
Years at Georgia Tech: 1997-2000
Status: PGA TourDid not play FedEx Cup points ranking: 103
YTD earnings: $1,028,556
Career earnings (PGAT): $59,787,247 CHRISTO LAMPRECHT
Hometown: George, South Africa
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2000-24
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Albertsons Boise Open
missed cutKFT points ranking: 138
YTD earnings: $32,300
Career earnings (KFT): $32,300 ANDY MAO
Hometown: Johns Creek, Ga.
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2020-24
Status: developmental toursDid not play GPro points ranking: 95
YTD earnings: $1,215 LARRY MIZE
Residence: Columbus, Ga.
Turned pro: 1980
Years at Georgia Tech: 1975-79
Status: PGA Tour ChampionsDid not play Schwab Cup points ranking: 112
YTD earnings: $10,863
Career earnings (Champions): $5,166,866
Career earnings (PGAT): $7,947,092 ANDY OGLETREE
Hometown: Little Rock, Miss.
Residence: Roswell, Ga.
Turned pro: 2020
Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-20
Status: Asian TourDid not play LIV standings: 33
YTD earnings (LIV): $1,897,317
Order of Merit (Asian Tour): 52
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): $20,300
Career earnings (LIV): $2,724,375 CHRIS PETEFISH
Hometown: Danville, Calif.
Turned pro: 2018
Years at Georgia Tech: 2014-18
Status: Korn Ferry TourDid not play KFT Points ranking: 162
YTD earnings (KFT): $20,239
Career earnings (KFT): $342,455
Career earnings (PGA Tour Canada): $21,118 SETH REEVES
Hometown: Duluth, Ga.
Turned pro: 2014
Years at Georgia Tech: 2010-14
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Albertsons Boise Open
T-4KFT points ranking: 37
YTD earnings (KFT): $154,619
Career earnings (PGAT): $649,622
Career earnings (KFT): $780,736 LUKE SCHNIEDERJANS
Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.
Residence: Alpharetta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2020
Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-20
Status: MacKenzie Tour/Forme TourDid not play Fortinet Cup points: 121
YTD earnings (Americas): $4,736
Career earnings (Canada): $46,844 OLLIE SCHNIEDERJANS
Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.
Turned pro: 2015
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-15
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Albertsons Boise Open
missed cutKFT Points ranking: 101
YTD earnings: $70,649
Career earnings (KFT): $636,359
Career earnings (PGAT): $3,879,653 BEN SMITH
Hometown: Novi, Mich.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2022
Years at Georgia Tech: 2018-22
Status: developmental toursDid not play GPro points ranking: 36
YTD earnings: $4,490 ROSS STEELMAN
Hometown: Columbia, Mo.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2023
Years at Georgia Tech: 2021-23
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Albertsons Boise Open
T-19KFT points ranking: 45
YTD earnings (KFT): $145,141
Career earnings (KFT): $169,262 TYLER STRAFACI
Hometown: Davie, Fla.
Residence: Davie, Fla.
Turned pro: 2020
Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-20
Status: noneDid not play Fortinet Cup points: 219
YTD earnings (Canada): $789
Career earnings (PGAT Americas): $45,681
YTD earnings (GPro Tour): $1,112
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $21,111
Career earnings (Canada): $12,970 CAMERON TRINGALE
Hometown: Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Turned pro: 2009
Years at Georgia Tech: 2005-09
Status: LIV Golf/Asian TourDid not play LIV standings: 26
YTD Earnings (LIV): $2,169,975
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): n/a
Career earnings (LIV): $8,550,825
Career earnings (PGAT): $17,310,004 RICHY WERENSKI
Hometown: South Hadley, Mass.
Turned pro: 2014
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-14
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Albertsons Boise Open
T-36FedEx Cup points ranking: n/a
KFT points ranking: 54
YTD earnings (KFT): $65,960
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $57,000
Career earnings (KFT): $560,426
Career earnings (PGAT): $6,765,035 VINCENT WHALEY
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Residence: Alpharetta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2017
Years at Georgia Tech: 2013-17
Status: PGA TourDid not play FedEx Cup points ranking: 121
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $282,284
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $2,928,093
KFT points ranking: 107
YTD earnings (KFT): $206,369
Career earnings (KFT): $350,642