THE FLATS – Matt Kuchar ties Tiger Woods for most all-time victories at the Dell Technologies Match Play Championship … Ollie Schniederjans gets back to competition … David Duval on the golf ball rollback and more … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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MATT KUCHAR TIES TIGER WOODS’ MATCH PLAY RECORD
When Matt Kuchar’s career started at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion and “Hook ‘Em Horns” favorite heading into the weekend at Austin Country Club, wasn’t in high school yet and the event was played in Arizona with a different title sponsor.
Even more defining is that Kuchar’s first victim, Anthony Kim, was playing just his second Match Play and has since mysteriously walked away from the game.
Along the way, the 44-year-old has left a trail of opponents that range from Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson to Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth. He won the event in 2013, three years before the World Golf Championship relocated to Austin, and lost in the finals in 2019 to Kevin Kisner.
But the best testament to Kuchar’s longevity and match play prowess arrived Friday when he rolled over Si Woo Kim, 7 and 6, for his 36th victory in the event to tie the all-time record held by somebody named Tiger Woods.
“Getting a chance to tie any record of Tiger’s is an amazing thing,” said Kuchar, who advanced to the knockout round with his Friday victory. “That’s something I still find it hard to comprehend that I’m saying, that I tied one of his records. I’m hugely proud, pleased. There’s 300 more records [Woods holds], I’m sure, to go, but it’s a fun one to be able to say you’ve kind of got something you tied Tiger with.”
Editor’s note: Kuchar fell in the round of 16 (1-up) to Jason Day and has a 36-12-5 all-time record in the event.
PGA Tour: Matt Kuchar joins Tiger Woods in WGC-Dell Match Play history
Matt Kuchar defeats Si Woo Kim 7-and-6 to clinch his spot in the knockouts and equal Tiger Woods’ @DellMatchPlay wins record (36). 👏
📺: Golf Channel and @peacock pic.twitter.com/Le5HS06xsr
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) March 24, 2023
A historic W for Matt Kuchar 🙌
He ties @TigerWoods‘ record for most matches won @DellMatchPlay (36) and advances to the Round of 16. pic.twitter.com/Hdp1JBnmf9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 24, 2023
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SCHNIEDERJANS RESUMES PRO CAREER IN SAVANNAH
He didn’t make the cut, but it was a victory of sorts for Ollie Schniederjans when he teed it up for the first time in 18 months at the Club Car Championship in Savannah, Ga.
The former world No. 1 amateur and Korn Ferry Tour champion has spent the last year recovering from surgery to both hips and made it back to competition last weekend, where he shot rounds of 75-70 to (+1) to missed playing on the weekend by three strokes.
Former Tech stars Chris Petefish and Seth Reeves, both of whom have Korn Ferry status, and Ben Smith, a Monday qualifier, also missed the cut. Only Reeves will compete this week as the tour moves to Santiago, Chile for the Astara Chile Classic.
This week on the @KornFerryTour…
The return of former world No. 1 amateur @ollie_gt, who has completed just one event in the past 18 months as he’s dealt with injuries, hip surgeries.
Great to see Ollie ready to get his career back in motion: https://t.co/k2tw12A67g pic.twitter.com/w2fBe71i9M
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) March 20, 2023
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ELSEWHERE
Paul Haley II tied for 35th place at the the PGA Tour’s alternate event last weekend, posting a 6-under-par 282 at the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic; Chesson Hadley and Richy Werenski both missed the cut … David Duval tied for 53rd at The Galleri Classic (217, +1) in Rancho Mirage, Calif. On PGA Tour Championsh … Will Dickson missed the cut at the Augusta (Ga.) Open (144, even) on the G Pro Tour … Shun Yat Hak missed the cut (T-94) at the World City Championship (144, +4) on the Asian Tour.
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DUVAL SOUNDS OFF ON TIGER, BALL ROLL-BACK
Last week, due to some technical difficulties, the great David Duval answered a total of one question on The Loop podcast. Fortunately for us, he was kind enough to come back on this week, and his thoughts on a variety of topics dominating golf right now were well worth the wait.
Duval, the 2001 Open Champion who spent 15 weeks as World No. 1, had become one of the prominent voices in golf broadcasting over the last decade, but decided to make a run on the PGA Tour Champions when he turned 50 in November of 2021. He’s currently three events into his second season on the senior tour, having just matched his best career finish with a T-31 at the Hoag Classic.
Double D getting back into the literal swing of things has led to far less TV time, which means we get to hear his takes on hot-button issues far less frequently. Naturally, we had to get his take on the USGA and R&A’s rollback announcement, which seemed to align with what two-time PGA champion Justin Thomas said ahead of the Valspar Championship last week.
https://t.co/DZtQ5ZGcad : David Duval on carrying Tiger and the one thing he and Brandel Chamblee actually agree on https://t.co/GJnKSrO7vz pic.twitter.com/pfvf2a52Kg
— GolfBlog.com (@GolfBlogDotCom) March 21, 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: Valero Texas Open • March 30-April 2, 2023 • TPC San Antonio (OakCourse) • San Antonio, Texas • Purse: $8.9M • FedEx Cup points: 500
- Korn Ferry Tour: Astara Chile Classic • March 30-April 2, 2023 • Prince of Wales Country Club • Santiago, Chile • Purse: $1M
- PGA Tour Champions: Invited Celebrity Classic • April 21-23, 2023 • Las Colinas Country Club • Irving, Texas • Purse: $2M
- PGA Tour Canada: Qualifying Tournament USA West 1 • April 4-7, 2023 • Wigwam Golf Club (Gold Course) • Litchfield Park, Ariz.
- Asian Tour: International Series Vietman • April 13-16, 2023 • KN Golf Links • Vietnam • Purse: $2M
- LIV Golf Series: Orlando • March 31-April 2, 2023 • Orange County National • Orlando, Fla. • Purse: $25M
- G Pro Tour: Forest Oaks Classic • March 28-30, 2023 • Forest Oaks Country Club • Greensboro, N.C. • Purse: $66,525
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
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I’m excited to represent the @GalleriTest on and off the golf course. This#MultiCancerEarlyDetection test has the potential to impact lives and it’s important that people know about it! pic.twitter.com/8SBjZmcQHb
— David Duval (@david59duval) March 25, 2023
.@CharlieRymerPGA is back on the course! In this video he shows you how to prevent you from blasting your drive into the marsh on the 7th hole at Pearl’s West Course. ⛳️#MyrtleBeachGolf pic.twitter.com/kg6UuiLwel
— Myrtle Beach Golf (@MyrtleBeachGolf) March 23, 2023
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