THE FLATS – Ross Steelman and Connor Howe enjoy successful professional debuts on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour Canada, respectively … Stewart Cink, Paul Haley II and Matt Kuchar compete in U.S. Open, none make the cut … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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STEELMAN HAS SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL DEBUT ON KORN FERRY TOUR
Ross Steelman, who finished as the runner-up individually and led Georgia Tech to a runner-up finish as a team, makes his professional debut last weekend on the Korn Ferry Tour in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Wichita Open. Steelman shot an opening-round 65 and posted four rounds in the 60s for the weekend, tying for 43rd place at 11-under-par 269, which was eight shots out of the lead.
The Columbia, Mo., native was voted a second-team All-America in the spring and also made the All-ACC team, and finished ranked No. 5 in the final Golfstat national collegiate rankings. He also was No. 4 in the final PGA Tour University ranking, which carried with it full exempt status on the Korn Ferry Tour and a pass to the final stage of PGA Tour qualifying school in November.
All-American Ollie Schniederjans, who returned to competition for the Korn Ferry Tour’s Club Car Championship in Savannah back in March, played his first event since then but was not able to make the cut despite carding a pair of 68s.
Steelman continued his rookie year this week at the Compliance Solutions Championship in Norman, Okla., as Chris Petefish returns to action in the event.
Trying to look at it as just another tournament ⛳️
Ross Steelman went 5-under in the first round at his first event as a professional @WichitaOpen. pic.twitter.com/zy4XoKf2hJ
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) June 16, 2023
#PROJACKETS
@ross_steelman heads to the weekend 4 shots off the lead in his first Korn Ferry Tour event. #gojackets pic.twitter.com/dl3mA3kSmn— Georgia Tech Golf (@GTGolf) June 17, 2023
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HOWE SOLID IN PROFESSIONAL DEBUT IN CANADA
Five Yellow Jackets have traveled north of the border to begin the 2023 season of PGA Tour Canada this week, including Connor Howe, who graduated in May and made his professional debut this week at the Royal Beach Canadian Open in Victoria, British Columbia.
Howe had a solid debut, tying for 33rd place at 4-under-par 276, posting three rounds in the 60s, while J.T. Griffin paced the Jackets with a tie for 25th at 6-under-par 274. Tyler Strafaci tied for 45th, while Luke Schniederjans tied for 52nd. Shun Yat Hak, a member of Tech’s 2013 team that advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Championship, missed the cut.
Howe earned All-ACC and honorable mention All-America honors last spring in helping Georgia Tech win the ACC Championship and runner-up at the NCAA Championship. He earned full status on PGA Tour Canada after tying for eighth at a U.S.-based qualifier in Alabama in April, then finished No. 18 in the final PGA Tour University Rankings. He also has an exemption to the second stage of PGA Tour qualifying school in November.
The tour moves to Saskatchewan this week with Howe, Schniederjans and Strafaci competing.
Eagle finish for @realconnorhowe in his #PROJACKETS debut in Canada. pic.twitter.com/VQusGhGqnP
— Georgia Tech Golf (@GTGolf) June 16, 2023
Jackets at the U.S. Open
Jackets at the U.S. Open
TECH HAS THREESOME IN U.S. OPEN IN L.A.
Three former Yellow Jackets competed last weekend in the 123rd U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, none able to make the cut to weekend play. Veterans PGA Tour pros Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar have each played in the U.S. Open 20 times or more in their careers, carding a 5-over-par 155 and 6-over-par 146, respectively, while Paul Haley II made the first appearance of his 11-year professional career and posted a 9-over-par total of 149.
It was Kuchar’s third straight missed cut in the U.S. Open dating back to 2019 when he tied for 16th place at Pebble Beach, Calif. Cink last made the cut in 2021 at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
All three Jackets will make their way to Connecticut for this week’s Travelers Championship along with Chesson Hadley and Richy Werenski. Hadley finished fifth at the Travelers last weekend, firing a final-round 64. Cink won captured his first PGA Tour victory in this event in 1997, then added a second win there in 2008.
Getting back to even in style 🦅@stewartcink #USOpen pic.twitter.com/6uc8TzpR12
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2023
The 2023 Travelers Championship Field Update #3:
Dylan Frittelli has withdrawn.
Paul Haley II takes his spot!
Zecheng Dou is the next alternate.#WD #PGATour #TravelersChamp https://t.co/SxdS0C4FnV pic.twitter.com/ke58Mrm0jR
— GOLF INJURY REPORT (@InjuryReportPGA) June 18, 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
PGA Tour: Travelers Championship • June 22-25, 2023 • TPC River Highlands • Cromwell, Conn. • Purse: $20M • FedEx Cup points: 500
Korn Ferry Tour: Compliance Solutions Championship • June 22-25, 2023 • Jimmie Austin OU Club • Norman, Okla. • Purse: $1M
PGA Tour Champions: Dick’s Sporting Good Open • June 23-25, 2023 • En-Joie Golf Club • Endicott, N.Y. • Purse: $2.1M
PGA Tour Canada: Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open • June 22-25, 2023 • Elk Ridge Resort • Waskesiu Lake, Saskatchewan
Asian Tour: International Series England • August 17-20, 2023 • Colt House • United Kingdom • Purse: $2M
LIV Golf Series: Valderrama, Spain • June 30-July 2, 2023 • Real Club Valderrama • Valderrama, Spain • Purse: $25M
G Pro Tour: Mimosa Open • June 20-22, 2023 • Mimosa Hills Golf & Country Club • Morganton, N.C. • Purse: $66,525
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
My Ganpuppy Bubba is ready to rock and roll. It’s impossible to have a bad day with Golden Retrievers around. Have a great week everybody! pic.twitter.com/8DMguya7Ns
— Charlie Rymer (@CharlieRymerPGA) June 19, 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: 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