THE FLATS – Four Yellow Jackets tee it up in Kiawah Island for the PGA Championship … Matt Kuchar chases lead at AT&T Byron Nelson … Seth Reeves scores third top-3 finish on Korn Ferry Tour … More below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
*****
FOUR JACKETS IN FIELD FOR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
The second major of the 2020-21 season gets underway this Thursday with the PGA Championship at the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C. Stewart Cink, a two-time winner this year, is in the field along with Matt Kuchar, Cameron Tringale and Richy Werenski.
Cink is in the field for the first time since 2018, when he tied for fourth at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, his third top-10 finish in 19 appearances.
Kuchar is making his 13th appearance in the PGA Championship, having posted four top-10 finishes, while Tringale is in for the seventh time, and Werenski is making his third start.
*****
KUCHAR CHALLENGES THROUGH 54 HOLES AT BYRON NELSON
Matt Kuchar made a run at the AT&T Byron Nelson title last weekend with a Saturday 66 at TPC Craig Ranch, beginning Sunday’s final round just two shots off the lead. But the nine-time PGA Tour winner was left behind after posting a finishing 73 and tied for 17th place with a 16-under-par total of 272.
Kuchar advanced seven spots in the FedEx Cup points list to 87th.
Vincent Whaley, playing in his hometown of McKinney, Texas, enjoyed another solid finish, a tie for 26th place and a 14-under-par score of 274, moving up to 126th place on the FedEx Cup list. The top 125 at the end of the regular season participate in the FedEx Cup Playoffs.
Chesson Hadley and Tyler Strafaci, making his professional debut, got off to solid starts in the first round but struggled in round 2 and missed the cut.
*****
REEVES GOES LOW ON SUNDAY ON KORN FERRY TOUR
In a bid to win for the second time on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2020-21, Seth Reeves fired a 9-under-par 61 Sunday at Holston Hills Golf Club, but came up three strokes short at the Visit Knoxville Open. The Georgia Tech All-American finished the tournament with a 17-under-par total of 263 and jumped back into the top 25 in Korn Ferry Tour points (No. 19).
It was the third top-3 finish for Reeves, who had made as many cuts as he’s missed in 2020-21 (14 each). The 2014 All-American won the Pinnacle Bank Championship last summer and tied for third at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship.
Meanwhile, Paul Haley II tied for 70th place but dropped only one spot to 20th in Korn Ferry Tour points, giving two Yellow Jackets a chance to earn PGA Tour cards at the end of the regular season.
*****
FORME TOUR ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE
The Forme Tour, the newly created, U.S.-based Tour for players with status on the MacKenzie Tour, including Luke Schniederjans and Chris Petefish, announced its eight-tournament schedule last week. The slate will take players to seven states—with Indiana hosting two tournaments. The Forme Tour, which provides a path to the Korn Ferry Tour for the season’s top finishers and offers Official World Golf Ranking points, will begin in late-June and conclude the second week of September.
Each Forme Tour tournament is 72 holes, with sets of two events played in back-to-back-weeks, each tournament using a Wednesday-to-Saturday or Tuesday-to-Friday format.
The season begins in the Watkinsville, Ga., on June 23-26. The year concludes Sept. 7-10 in Ringoes, N.J., 45 miles from Philadelphia.
*****
ELSEWHERE
Larry Mize tied for 69th place at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Ga., falling back in the final round with an 83 for a 13-over-par total of 229 …
*****
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
5 birdies in the last 7 holes. 👀
Matt Kuchar is making a run on Moving Day. 1 back. pic.twitter.com/h27j4bOVXJ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 15, 2021
All over it. 🐤
Matt Kuchar making a big run @ATTByronNelson and is now T2. pic.twitter.com/zT10inUpHb
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 14, 2021
In the hunt @ATTByronNelson.
Matt Kuchar has 18 top 10s in the Lone Star state, most of any player without a win in Texas since 2000. pic.twitter.com/mS7Z6jO5EW
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 15, 2021
A truly amazing moment for us at Calusa Pines in Naples, FL today, as my mom @annecink used her @PingTour GLo2 hybrid and @Titleist TourSoft to record her third ace, then throw an adorable reaction on top! Congratulations I’m proud to have been there! pic.twitter.com/gLIalXQ1G7
— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink) May 13, 2021
Meet Buck, the love child of a yellow lab and a walrus. pic.twitter.com/AmmP5ve5kR
— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink) May 13, 2021
Got a couple eagles to land today! Enjoying the new course so far @attbyronnelson pic.twitter.com/mrjUz5Y9AQ
— Chesson Hadley (@chessonhadley) May 14, 2021
Our 2 goldens, a grand daughter, and my wife @yespeg all in the Princess Tent at once. I believe it’s full. But don’t worry about me , I can still see the @Braves game on TV over the peak of the tent. pic.twitter.com/0BjZ62MT8E
— Charlie Rymer (@CharlieRymerPGA) May 15, 2021
Still can’t believe I got in the enclosure with this 2000 pound dinosaur!!! That was a 7 pound rabbit he was snacking on. #CharlieRymerGolfShow @alligatoradvntr pic.twitter.com/doxDX9BYsC
— Charlie Rymer (@CharlieRymerPGA) May 14, 2021
Thank you! I’m honored to join the @Titleist team! https://t.co/cOWN2Wescp
— Ty Strafaci (@TyStrafaci) May 14, 2021
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: PGA Championship • May 20-23, 2021 • Ocean Course at Kiawah Island • Kiawah Island, S.C. • Purse: tba
- Korn Ferry Tour: Visit Knoxville Open • May 13-16, 2021 • Holston Hills Country Club • Knoxville, Tenn. • Purse: $600,000
- PGA Tour Champions: Kitchen Aid Senior PGA Championship • May 27-30, 2021 • Southern Hills Country Club • Tulsa, Okla. • Purse: $3,500,000
- Forme Tour: PGA Tour Canada Q-School USA West 3 • June 8-11, 2021 • The Home Course • Dupont, Wash.
- All Pro Tour: United Way Charity Championship • May 19-22, 2021 • Hardscrabble Country Club • Fort Smith, Ark. • Purse: $130,000
- G Pro Tour: Greenville Open • May 19-21, 2021 • Brook Valley Country Club • Greenville, N.C. • Purse: $72,100
- SwingThought Tour: ST 27 Belmont Lake • June 8-9, 2021 • Belmont Lake Golf Club • Rocky Mount, N.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