THE FLATS – Stewart Cink returns to the Tour Championship for the first time since 2009, playing on his home course … Vincent Whaley has his PGA Tour card all but locked up after two high finishes in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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CINK RETURNS HOME TO PLAY TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
Back at East Lake Golf Club for first time in 12 years after becoming the fourth player to have a multiple-win season after turning 47, Stewart Cink enters his first Tour Championship since 2009 in 23rd place in the FedEx Cup points list. As such, he will start among a group of five players at 1-under-par, chasing top-ranked Patrick Cantlay from nine shots back in the PGA Tour’s starting strokes system.
Cink has been in position to play in the Tour Championship from the beginning of the 2020-21 season, when he won the Safeway Open in Napa, Calif., and then added another victory at the RBC Heritage in April. He has eight top-25 finishes altogether this season, earning nearly $3.6 million, the third-highest total of his career, and he is exempt on the Tour through his age 50.
He landed at 23rd on the FedEx Cup list after his tie for 38th last week at the BMW Championship, where he shot 69-74-66-69 on the way to a 10-under-par total of 278 at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Md.
Cameron Tringale, who was 34th in points entering the BMW Championship, tied for 52nd place and fell back, coming up short of making his first Tour Championship since 2014.
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PGA TOUR Q&A WITH RESURGENT STEWART CINK
Stewart Cink was ready for battle when he faced Collin Morikawa at the RBC Heritage at Hilton Head in April. Granted, he had a five-shot lead, but Cink was on the doorstep of PGA TOUR Champions eligibility, while Morikawa, half his age, was one of the hottest players on the planet.
It turned into a mismatch, all right, but not in the way some might have imagined. Cink carded a bloodless 70 and win going away, while Morikawa, after starting with a birdie, fell back and ultimately signed for a 72 (T7).
Underestimate Cink, a two-time winner this season, at your peril. He’s cagey. He’s crafty. And today might just be the day he shoots the fur off the course (a Cinkism). Here, he sits down with the PGA TOUR to talk about sharing his prime years with Tiger Woods; his pro shop management career that wasn’t; and what exactly it did for him to win the Mexican Open – twice.
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WHALEY HAS PGA TOUR CARD ALL BUT LOCKED UP
Sitting in fourth place after two of the three events in the Korn Ferry Tour finals, Vincent Whaley is on track to regain his PGA Tour card for 2021-22 after finishing outside the top 125 of the FedEx Cup in 2020-21. He’ll join Seth Reeves, who finished 18th in the regular season, and five other Yellow Jackets on the PGA Tour next season.
The 2017 Tech grad, who played on the PGA Tour the last two seasons after finishing 25th in Korn Ferry Tour points in 2019, tied for fourth place at last weekend’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, posting a 14-under-par 270 at the Ohio State University Scarlet Course.
The Finals comes to an end this weekend with the Korn Ferry Tour Championship in Newburgh, Ind., with Paul Haley II (No. 47 in the Finals) needing a very high finish to vault into the top 25. Haley just missed earning his card in the regular season, finishing 27th.
Whaley delivered the shot of the tournament in round 3 at the par-4 14th on the way to a 65 and a share of the 54-hole lead. Whaley had 142 yards to the flag at the 473-yard par 4; he landed a pitching wedge within two feet of the hole, and watched from the fairway as it spun back into the cup for an eagle.
“I was kind of stalled at that point, so that was helpful,” Whaley said. “I knew I was somewhat up (the leaderboard), but I needed a few more coming in to really get towards that final group, so that was huge.”
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MIZE TIES FOR 30TH AT ALLY CHALLENGE
A near ace on the 17th hole of the final round last weekend helped Larry Mize turn in a 6-under-par score of 210 and tie for 30th place at the Ally Challenge in Grand Blanc, Mich. With his best finish since the end of May, Mize is No. 69 in Charles Schwab Cup points.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: Tour Championship • September 2-5, 2021 • East Lake Golf Club • Atlanta, Ga. • Purse: $15,00,000 • FedEx Cup points: 0
- Korn Ferry Tour: Korn Ferry Tour Championship • September 2-5, 2021 • Victoria National Golf Club • Newburgh, Ind. • Purse: $1,000,000
- PGA Tour Champions: Ascension Charity Classic • September 10-12, 2021 • Norwood Hills Country Club • St. Louis, Mo. • Purse: $2,000,000
- Forme Tour: Rolling Green Championship • September 1-4, 2021 • Rolling Green Golf Club • Springfield, Pa. • Purse: $120,000
- All Pro Tour: Oakwing Championship • October 18-20, 2021 • Oakwing Golf Club • Alexandria, La. • Purse: $48,000
- G Pro Tour: 2021 schedule completed
- SwingThought Tour: ST43 Blacksburg Country Club • September 14-16, 2021 • Blacksburg Country Club • Blacksburg, Va.
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#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Swinging into Sunday.
👈@VinceWhaley @SJ_sedl_Golf 👉@NCHC_Golf pic.twitter.com/EwmmFNG0no
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) August 29, 2021
And a birdie to follow.
🦅on 14.
🐦 on 15.Solo leader @VinceWhaley (-15) @NCHC_Golf. pic.twitter.com/kKCUV1KLPV
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) August 28, 2021
Prettttty pretty good for the Tour Championship! @playofffinale pic.twitter.com/C2tB6iNT86
— Roberto Castro (@cicioCASTRO) August 30, 2021
That’s why you never bet against @PGA_JohnDaly 😳. Just ask @CharlieRymerPGA! #MyrtleBeachGolf pic.twitter.com/LSokPRFx5w
— Myrtle Beach Golf (@MyrtleBeachGolf) August 25, 2021
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