Georgia Tech #ProJackets Golf Report

May 1, 2018

THE FLATS – Chesson Hadley and his partner Brice Garnett shared the lead for a little while on Sunday in New Orleans … Roberto Castro started fast on Sunday, fell back, then settled for his third straight top-10 finish on the Web.com Tour … U.S. Open local qualifying started this week … this and more in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Golf Report.

Former Georgia Tech stars nearly brought home victories on two tours last weekend as Hadley and Castro both made charges on the final day of their respective events.

Hadley partnered with Brice Garnett in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a unique two-man team event utilizing both best-ball and alternate shot play over the 72 holes. They played the front nine at TPC Louisiana in 4-under-par in the alternate-shot format in the final round Sunday to grab a share of the lead, but had three bogeys for a 39 coming home and tied for fourth place at 269 (-19), three shots off the lead. The duo had moved into contention with a 61 in the third round, which was played at best ball.

Richy Werenski (tied for 25th with Nicholas Lindheim) and Matt Kuchar (tied for 28th with Bubba Watson) also had successful weekends at the event.

Following third-round Four-ball play at the 2018 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Chesson Hadley and Brice Garnett talk to Amanda Balionis from CBS Sports.

During final-round Foursomes at the 2018 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Chesson Hadley sinks a 28-foot birdie putt on the par-4 5th hole.
In second-round Foursomes at the 2018 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson show fans how to have fun while carding a 9-under 69 and tie for 7th heading into Saturday.

Following second-round Foursomes at the 2018 Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson talk to John McGinnis from PGA TOUR Live.

Hadley is considered one of the favorites in this week’s Wells Fargo Championship in his home state of North Carolina. He connected three top 20s prior to his tie for fourth last weekend in New Orleans. He has eight top 20s on the season, and a pair of top 20s in his last two trips to the Quail Hollow Club. Stewart Cink, Ollie Schniederjans and Werenski also are in the field.

Meanwhile, Castro birdied three of his first four holes and shot 31 (-5) on the front nine Sunday at Victoria National Golf Club, moving within a shot of the lead during the final round of the United Leasing and Finance Championship. The 2007 Tech graduate was never able to grab a share of the lead, however, and wound up bogeying 16 and 17 to finish in a tie for fifth place at 286 (-2) for the weekend.

Still, Castro posted his third consecutive top-10 finish and improved to 14th place in earnings this season on the Web.com Tour. The top 25 in earnings at the end of the regular season will earn PGA Tour cards for 2018-19.

Victoria National exceeded high expectations by 5 miles. Can count on 1 hand the courses I’ve played that are better than VN. Remarkable in every way. Fazio’s masterpiece.

— Roberto Castro (@cicioCASTRO) April 30, 2018

Stewart Cink took the weekend off to be inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame along with Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney, former Tech football coach Chan Gailey, former Auburn and major league pitcher Tim Hudson and former NFL receiver Terrell Owens.

Had a blast this weekend in B-Ham thanks @ASHOF! Might have to make a slight grip adjustment though! pic.twitter.com/kyYIMcvqCQ

— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink) April 30, 2018

Thoughtful gift basket awaiting us in our room, compliments of @ashof. Even an actual basket shaped like my home state! Probably won’t be much left over when we check out Sunday! #AlabamaSportsHallofFame pic.twitter.com/UielPOXELE

— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink) April 27, 2018

U.S. Open: Local qualifying tournaments for the 2018 U.S. Open Championship have begun this week, including the first of two in the state of Georgia which occurred Monday at Marietta Country Club. Current Jackets Jacob Joiner, Andy Ogletree and Luke Schniederjans, as well as class of 2018 signee Luka Karaulic, were among 132 golfers competing to earn one of eight spots available for players to advance to sectional qualifying. Tyler Joiner and Michael Pisciotta, current Jackets graduating this spring, will attempt local qualifying along with former Tech players Bo Andrews, Drew Czuchry and J.T. Griffin on May 14 at Georgia National Golf Club in McDonough, Ga. Local qualifying tournaments are 18 holes of individual stroke play.

The 2018 U.S. Open will be contested June 14-17 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, N.Y. Matt Kuchar is the only former Tech player currently exempt into the field.

Elsewhere: Bo Andrews is in the field for the MacKenzie Tour’s final qualifying event, which began Tuesday in British Columbia … Vincent Whaley, who came up short in qualifying for the MacKenzie Tour (PGA Tour Canada) this spring, is one of three former Yellow Jackets who are competing in events on the Adams Pro Tour, which has a 16-event schedule running through late October at sites in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas, and offers purses from $100,000 and up. Whaley, a 2017 Tech graduate, is 31st on the current earnings list after playing two events, while former Jackets J.T. Griffin and Paul Haley also have competed.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PGA Tour: Wells Fargo Championship • May 3-6, 2018 • Quail Hollow Club • Charlotte, N.C. • Purse: $7,700,000 • FedExCup Points: 500
Web.com Tour: Knoxville Open • May 10-13, 2018 • Fox Den Country Club • Knoxville, Tenn. • Purse: $550,000
PGA Tour Champions: Insperity Invitational • May 4-6, 2018 • The Woodlands Country Club • The Woodlands, Texas • Purse: $2,200,000
Mackenzie Tour:Freedom 55 Financial Open • May 31-June 3, 2018 • Point Grey Golf and Country Club • Vancouver, British Columbia • Purse: $200,000
Adams Pro Tour:Business First Bank Classic • May 2-5, 2018 • Beau Chene Country Club • Mandeville, La. • Purse: $132,000