THE FLATS – Four Yellow Jackets, including amateur Andy Ogletree and 2020 PGA Tour winner Richy Werenski, competing this week at the U.S. Open, the second major of the 2019-20 season … Stewart Cink makes winning his first Tour event in 11 years a special family affair … More below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report. (trophy photos courtesy of PGA Tour/Getty Images)
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U.S. OPEN UPDATE
Four Yellow Jackets – Chesson Hadley, Matt Kuchar, Andy Ogletree (a) and Richy Werenski – are in the reduced 144-player field for the 120th U.S. Open Championship this week at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y.
The United States Golf Association built its field entirely on exemptions, with no qualifying held this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Hadley (third appearance) made the field after his top-10 finish last year at Pebble Beach, Kuchar (18th start) earned his spot by qualifying for the 2019 Tour Championship, Werenski (second start) earned his after winning the Barracuda Championship earlier this summer, and Ogletree (first start) is in as the 2019 U.S. Amateur Champion.
Nobody associated with Georgia Tech golf has won the U.S. Open since Bobby Jones captured the 1930 title to complete the Grand Slam of golf. Stewart Cink, who has an Open Championship to his credit, came the closest in 2001, finishing a stroke shy of joining a playoff with Mark Brooks and Retief Goosen at Southern Hills in Tulsa, Okla.
Hadley bio | Kuchar bio | Ogletree bio | Werenski bio | Viewing schedule | Tee times
Former Tech star Tripp Isenhour gives us a look at Winged Foot for a segment on Golf Channel.
Easy holes at Winged Foot? Non-existent 😬 (besides the 19th hole of course)@TrippIsenhourGC explains how players can get @usopengolf Tournament Ready, presented by @CintasCorp. pic.twitter.com/ZYaneRBSH2
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 4, 2020
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PGA TOUR UPDATE
With his elder son Reagan on his bag last weekend, Stewart Cink played a strong weekend by shooting 65-65 and held off the challenge of rookie Harry Higgs to win the Safeway Open last weekend in Napa, Calif., the 2020-21 PGA Tour season opener. The three-time Tech All-American recorded his seventh PGA Tour victory and first since winning the 2009 Open Championship, posting a 21-under-par total of 267.
At age 47, Cink is now fully exempt on the Tour through 2022-23 after finishing out of the top 125 the last two seasons. He also earned entry into the 2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions, Masters, Players Championship and PGA Championship.
Interestingly enough, he became the third former Yellow Jacket to win this event, which began in 2007, joining Troy Matteson (2009) and Bryce Molder (2011) in claiming the unique oak barrel trophy at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, Calif.
Chesson Hadley and Vincent Whaley also played strong golf over the weekend at Silverado, Hadley tying for 14th place at 15-under-par 273, and Whaley tying for 23rd at 14-under 274. Cameron Tringale and Roberto Castro missed the cut, as did 2020 graduate Luke Schniederjans, who competed as an amateur after making the field as a Monday qualifier.
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KORN FERRY TOUR UPDATE
Georgia Tech’s members on the Korn Ferry Tour didn’t enjoy the same success last weekend, as all five Yellow Jackets failed to make the cut at the Evans Scholars Invitational at Westchester, Ill. Ollie Schniederjans was the only one of the five to break par for the first 36 holes (-2).
The Korn Ferry Tour is off this week as the U.S. Open is contested, and resumes next week with the Wichita Open.
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LOCALiQ SERIES UPDATE
Chris Petefish has tied for 23rd, seventh, 47th and 19th in the four events played so far, and sits 16th in the points standings. He tied for 19th at the Invitational at Auburn in the series’ last event with an 11-under-par total of 205.
The LocaliQ Series, the U.S.-based tournament series designed for members of the PGA Tours in Canada, Latino America and China, has three remaining events, culminating in the LocaliQ Series Championship at Nassau, Bahamas in late October. The series resumes next week with thee Jacksonville (Fla.) Championship.
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PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS UPDATE
Former Master champion Larry Mize sits at 59th in Schwab Cup points following his tie for 63rd place at last weekend’s Sanford Invitational in Sioux Falls, S.D. (212, +2). The senior circuit moves to Pebble Beach, Calif., this week for the PURE Insurance Championship.
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#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
This was a really special week with my son @RCinkk on the bag. I’m honored to win the opening event of the new season @SafewayOpen
Trophy is empty right now… but won’t be for long!! pic.twitter.com/eiYoQ04THo
— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink) September 14, 2020
What a fun round out there yesterday with a 30 on the front nine and son @rcinkk on the bag! 2 shots back going into the final round 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/jSQh2tqzvA
— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink) September 13, 2020
23 years after his 1st win. 11 years since his last. After what Lisa has been through. Son on the bag. There are a lot of “great guys” out there, but I haven’t found a better one than Stewart Cink. Just awesome for so many reasons.
— Roberto Castro (@cicioCASTRO) September 14, 2020
“I know you can do it and you know you can do it … you’re with your son … so just go out there and have a great time.” https://t.co/bOxrMv6vjG
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 14, 2020
“Dad … trust me.”@StewartCink explains a moment of fatherly pride that happened during Saturday’s round. pic.twitter.com/pnImT0PUfC
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 14, 2020
.@stewartcink‘s first @PGATOUR-sanctioned title.
Birdie on the third playoff hole to win 1996 @PriceCutterCC.
(Son Reagan was not yet born.) pic.twitter.com/sEeDsrJ8ng
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) September 14, 2020
My heart is full. My long time buddy @stewartcink has always been a champion…especially off the course. And now he’s a champion again on the course!!! Not surprised. Faith, family, friends, bbq… Stew is the best! @Transamerica
— Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonPGA) September 14, 2020
ICYMI: @CharlieRymerPGA caught up with his old pal Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish at River Club Golf Course in the most recent episode of Ridin With Rymer. Watch here: https://t.co/1NaTw9uVQk#RidinWithRymer #MyrtleBeachGolf pic.twitter.com/mWEK4ADW6R
— Myrtle Beach Golf (@MyrtleBeachGolf) September 12, 2020
UPCOMING EVENTS (subject to change)
- PGA Tour: U.S. Open • September 17-20, 2020 • Winged Foot Golf Club • Mamaroneck, N.Y. • Purse: $12,500,000
- Korn Ferry Tour: Wichita Open • September 24-27, 2020 • Crestview Country Club • Wichita, Kan. • Purse: $600,000
- PGA Tour Champions: PURE Insurance Championship • September 18-20, 2020 • Pebble Beach Golf Links • Pebble Beach, Calif. • Purse: $2,200,000
- LocaliQ Series: Jacksonville Championship • September 23-25, 2020 • Hidden Hills Golf Club • Jacksonville, Fla.
- 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.
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