THE FLATS – David Duval announces he will compete on PGA Tour Champions … Matt Kuchar to partner again with Harris English for QBE Shootout … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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DAVID DUVAL COMING TO PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
The momentum of an incredible rookie class in 2020-21 won’t stop in 2022. David Duval turned 50 on November 9 and announced that he would be playing in the PGA TOUR Champions season-opener on an exemption. The former world No. 1-ranked Duval had an strong PGA TOUR career with 13 wins including The Open Championship in 2001. Duval is a former world No. 1.
Similar to Mickelson, there probably were some question as to whether Duval would play PGA TOUR Champions. He hasn’t played a ton of competitive golf since playing 15 times on the PGA TOUR in 2014.
He transitioned to a broadcasting career when he made his ESPN debut in 2012 and then joined Golf Channel in 2015, but it sounds like he’s dedicated himself to preparing for PGA TOUR Champions.
“I’ve really been looking forward to turning 50 and starting this next chapter of my career,” said Duval. “The level of competition on PGA TOUR Champions is incredibly impressive, and I can’t wait to be back out there alongside my peers and good friends. I’ve been working hard on my game and I’m excited to get the competitive juices flowing again.”
Happy 50th, @david59duval!
See you in 2022. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/L1HT6NHASM
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) November 10, 2021
𝗗𝗨𝗩𝗔𝗟
Happy birthday to 1999 PLAYERS Champion, @david59duval 🎂 pic.twitter.com/LsZqQQLviR
— THE PLAYERS (@THEPLAYERSChamp) November 9, 2021
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KUCHAR AND ENGLISH PAIRED TOGETHER AGAIN
Georgia Tech All-American and nine-time PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar will team up once again with former Georgia All-American Harris English in an attempt to win their third title together at the QBE Shootout, an unofficial PGA Tour event which will be held Dec. 8-12 at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla.
As long as Kuchar and English are playing together — and they are for the seventh time — they will be the team to beat. And for three of their six previous appearances no team has done that, including last year when they won by a whopping nine strokes and shot 37 under.
Besides the 2017 tournament, when they finished ninth, they’ve been first in 2013, 2016, and 2020, and second in 2014 and 2015. The most successful pairing in Shootout history, this team has also recorded two runner-up finishes (2014, 2015). Hank Kuehne-Jeff Sluman won in ’03 and ’04 while Brad Faxon-Scott McCarron won in ’00 and ’01 as the other multiple winners. The duo holds the tournament record for largest margin of victory, nine strokes last year. They also held the previous record when they won by seven in 2013.
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INSIDE MATT KUCHAR’S GOLF BAG
Matt Kuchar does things a bit differently with his gear than most other players on the PGA Tour. Every player seeks to use the equipment that best suits their game, of course, but Kuchar is especially picky when it comes to putting new equipment in the bag.
Rather than simply switching into the latest products that hit the market, Kuchar takes his time getting new technology into the bag. For the 43-year-old Bridgestone staffer who’s won nine times on the PGA Tour, that means he uses clubs throughout his bag from all different years.
Speaking with GOLF.com recently, Kuchar explained his selective nature with his gear.
“I think it’s challenging to make things superior … I’m not sure how much better this next generation driver is from the previous generation driver,” Kuchar told GOLF.com at the 2021 RSM Classic. “Even if [we’re talking about] irons. Are they really getting better? I’m truly looking for a better product. If it’s going in my bag, it’s gotta be a better product.”
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TRINGALE IS AUTUMN’S IRON MAN
There are four players who have played in six of seven possible fall events—no one has the full seven-pack—and Cameron Tringale is the best of them, with five made cuts and a T-2 at the Zozo that leave him in 11th place in the FedEx Cup standings. Playing well in the fall can really help a player throughout the season, as there are a ton of points to be gained, and Tringale—who has won the most career money of any golfer not to win a PGA Tour event—has taken advantage better than anyone. He’ll be more comfortable than most come the spring and summer with the cushion his play has given him so far to start the 2021-22 season.
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ET CETERA
Matt Kuchar, Stewart Cink and David Duval are all entered in the field for the annual PNC Father-Son championship at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Dec. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla. Cink and Duval (and their sons) have both won this event.
Cink and Larry Mize are among the 88 players whom Golf Digest has judged to have qualified for the 2022 Masters Tournament. Based upon known criteria, Cink qualifies as a PGA Tour winner during the 12-month period prior to the Masters, and Mize is in the field as the 1987 Masters champion. Read the full list at GolfDigest.com.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: Hero World Challenge • December 2-5, 2021 • Albany Golf Club • New Providence, Bahamas. • Purse: tba • FedEx Cup points: none
- Korn Ferry Tour: The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic • January 16-19, 2022 • Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Club • Great Exuma, The Bahamas • Purse: $750,000
- PGA Tour Champions: PNC Championship • December 16-19, 2021 • Ritz-Carlton Resort • Orlando, Fla. • Purse: $1,085,000 (unofficial)
- Forme Tour: 2021 schedule completed
- All Pro Tour: Houston Classic • December 8-10, 2021 • The Clubs of Kingwood • Kingwood, Texas • Purse: $48,000
- G Pro Tour: Daytona Open • February 22-24, 2022 • LPGA International • Daytona Beach, Fla.
- SwingThought Tour: ST 53 Jacksonville Beach Golf Club • December 7-8, 2021 • Jacksonville Beach Golf Club • Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
We took @CharlieRymerPGA over to Alligator Adventure and we aren’t sure if he was having fun or just nervously laughing the whole time.
Watch more of the Charlie Rymer Golf Show here ➡️ https://t.co/UBcN7Rk9JZ.#CharlieRymerGolfShow #MyrtleBeachGolf pic.twitter.com/5yjI4USCQz
— Myrtle Beach Golf (@MyrtleBeachGolf) November 25, 2021
Free hat with purchase of each dozen @Saintnine_US golf balls!!!#BlackFriday pic.twitter.com/VqbB8Cec8z
— Charlie Rymer (@CharlieRymerPGA) November 24, 2021
A pleasant sight on this Thanksgiving Day! Wishing you all the best! @recteq_official pic.twitter.com/7uOIiOiDHH
— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink) November 25, 2021
Happy Thanksgiving! I am thankful for my family, this country, and so much more. May your day be filled with loved ones and memories, but most of all…eat some food!! pic.twitter.com/P6BuAOwjU8
— Chesson Hadley (@chessonhadley) November 25, 2021
I’m also thankful for the @Canes! pic.twitter.com/sbCruHhRIC
— Chesson Hadley (@chessonhadley) November 25, 2021
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Strong words from @ClubProGuy as THE MATCH tees off today.
CPG – There’s nobody like Jay Don, there’s nobody!
RC – Brooks? How about Brooks?
CPG – He’s a faux tough guy – Jay Don was the real dealhttps://t.co/3TdP6nOQIZ— Roberto Castro (@cicioCASTRO) November 26, 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: 239
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 ChampionsDid not play Schwab Cup points ranking: 9
YTD Earnings (Champions): $1,258,156
Career earnings (Champions): $1,726,795
FedEx Cup points ranking: 173
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $378,476
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $43,905,340 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 ChampionsDid not play Schwab Cup Points ranking: 61
YTD earnings (Champions): $356,865
Career earnings (Champions): $650,155
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: 143
YTD earnings: $628,066
Career earnings: $12,352,126 SHUN YAT HAK
Hometown: Hong Kong
Turned pro: 2013
Years at Georgia Tech: 2012-13
Status: PGA Tour ChinaDid not play GPro Tour points ranking: n/a PAUL HALEY II
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Turned pro: 2011
Years at Georgia Tech: 2007-11
Status: PGA TourPGA Tour Q-School
Second Stage
75th (+14)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 CanadaPGA Tour Q-School
Second Stage
T-7 (-10)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: 109
YTD earnings: $1,469,667
Career earnings (PGAT): $60,228,357 CHRISTO LAMPRECHT
Hometown: George, South Africa
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2000-24
Status: Korn Ferry TourDid not play KFT points ranking: 140
YTD earnings: $42,504
Career earnings (KFT): $42,504 ANDY MAO
Hometown: Johns Creek, Ga.
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2020-24
Status: developmental toursDid not play GPro points ranking: 72
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: 34
YTD earnings (LIV): $2,432,833
Order of Merit (Asian Tour): 52
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): $20,300
Career earnings (LIV): $3,543,875 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 TourDid not play KFT points ranking: 43
YTD earnings (KFT): $227,620
Career earnings (PGAT): $233,065
Career earnings (KFT): $859,183 LUKE SCHNIEDERJANS
Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.
Residence: Alpharetta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2020
Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-20
Status: MacKenzie Tour/Forme TourPGA Tour Q-School
Second Stage
T-42 (+7)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 TourDid not play KFT Points ranking: 100
YTD earnings: $85,403
Career earnings (KFT): $651,113
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 toursGPro Tour
Augusta Open
missed cut (+2)GPro points ranking: 39
YTD earnings: $6,976 ROSS STEELMAN
Hometown: Columbia, Mo.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2023
Years at Georgia Tech: 2021-23
Status: Korn Ferry TourDid not play KFT points ranking: 56
YTD earnings (KFT): $172,746
Career earnings (KFT): $196,867 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: 28
YTD Earnings (LIV): $2,727,625
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): n/a
Career earnings (LIV): $9,599,325
Career earnings (PGAT): $17,310,004 RICHY WERENSKI
Hometown: South Hadley, Mass.
Turned pro: 2014
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-14
Status: Korn Ferry TourDid not play KFT points ranking: 55
YTD earnings (KFT): $65,960
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $57,000
Career earnings (KFT): $632,504
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: 103
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $1,474,033
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $4,119,842
KFT points ranking: 107
YTD earnings (KFT): $206,369
Career earnings (KFT): $350,642