THE FLATS – Connor Howe off to strong start on PGA Tour Canada with a runner-up finish last weekend … Chesson Hadley working his way up the FedEx Cup points list … Ross Steelman gets a sponsor exemption to Detroit Classic this week … Matt Kuchar adds John Deere Classic to his schedule … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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HOWE CONTENDS, POSTS RUNNER-UP FINISH IN CANADA
Connor Howe turned in a solid finish in his PGA Tour Canada debut two weeks ago, and in his second start last weekend contended for a win and tied for second place at the Elk Ridge Saskatchewan Open.
The Ogden, Utah native fired rounds of 65-66-66-66 to finish with a 17-under-par total of 263, four strokes off the pace of former Florida State All-American John Pak. The tie for second coupled with a tie for 33rd in his debut the previous weekend has Howe No. 5 in the Fortinet Cup standings as the tour moves to Alberta this week and has eight events remaining.
Howe, who tied for 29th place individually as Georgia Tech finished runner-up at the NCAA Championship in late May, finished No. 18 on the PGA TOUR University ranking in 2023, earning exemption onto PGA TOUR Canada this season with eight top-10 finishes throughout his final season at Georgia Tech.
“I think you’re seeing it here, on the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour, how good the young players have gotten, how competitive college golf has gotten and how well it’s prepared us to come out here,” Howe told the media at the event. “I don’t think we’re really afraid of anyone, we just want to come out and compete with the best.”
Luke Schniederjans and Tyler Strafaci both missed the cut.
Connor Howe sticks it close on 7 and grabs the birdie to get back to 13-under@ElkRidgeSKOpen pic.twitter.com/XsBmWa6OZG
— PGA TOUR Canada – Fortinet Cup (@PGATOURCanada) June 25, 2023
A solid back nine, including birdies on 16 & 17, has Connor Howe within one shot of the lead heading into Championship Sunday at the @ElkRidgeSKOpen pic.twitter.com/5u4UGnpCXi
— PGA TOUR Canada – Fortinet Cup (@PGATOURCanada) June 25, 2023
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HADLEY WORKING HIS WAY UP THE LADDER
Last weekend was a rough one for two-time champion Stewart Cink and three others who missed the cut at the Travelers Championship, but Chesson Hadley posted three rounds in the mid-60s and turned in a solid finish of T-24 in the low-scoring affair.
Hadley posted a 13-under-par total of 267 and worked his way up the FedEx Cup points list, now No. 143, after a pair of solid starts in the month of June. He’ll tee it up again this week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, Mich., along with Paul Haley II, Richy Werenski and Vince Whaley, along with recent graduate Ross Steelman, who received a sponsor exemption.
Currently, Matt Kuchar (No. 50) is the only former Yellow Jacket in position to participate on the FedEx Cup playoffs, which begin in eight weeks. Kuchar is one of only two Tour players to have participated in all 16 FedEx Cup playoffs. Haley (No. 126), Werenski (No. 133) and Hadley are working to finish inside the top 1256 and retain their Tour cards for 2024.
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CINK WANTS TO KEEP PLAYING TPC RIVER HIGHLANDS
One of the most popular players in the history of the Travelers Championship, Stewart Cink turned 50 a month ago, which makes him eligible for the PGA Champions Tour.
Cink played in his first Champions event the week after his birthday and finished third at the Senior PGA Championship.
“It was fun,” said 28-year Tour pro. “It was a lot of fun.”
While Cink will now be splitting his time between the regular Tour and the senior circuit, that doesn’t mean golf fans at TPC River Highlands have seen the tall Alabaman for the last time.
“There are tournaments I don’t want to stop playing. This is one of them,” said Cink, who missed the cut by one shot Friday. “RBC (Heritage) is another. There are not many I don’t like, but this is one I definitely want to keep playing.”
More from the Republican American
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PETEFISH, STEELMAN SOLID ON KORN FERRY TOUR
Chris Petefish ended a streak of three missed cuts, while Ross Steelman earned another solid finish in his second stop on the Korn Ferry Tour last weekend.
Petefish started strong with a 66 and finished in a tie for 35th place at the Compliance Solutions Championship with an 11-under-par total of 277, holding his position at No. 91 on the Korn Ferry Tour points list. Steelman tied for 58th at 7-under-par 281.
Steelman’s weekend included his first professional hole-in-one in round 2 on Friday.
Petefish and Ollie Schniederjans will compete in this week’s event, the Memorial Health Championship in Springfield, Ill., while Steelman gets a start on the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic on a sponsor’s exemption.
🚨HOLE-IN-ONE ALERT 🚨
In his second event as a professional, Ross Steelman records a hole-in-one on the 15th from 262 years with a 4 iron @cschampgolf.
It was his sixth hole-in-one and first in competition. pic.twitter.com/1N30ESsxmm
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) June 24, 2023
Petey leaving Oklahoma – t35 was hoping to go low today but it still was a great week. Wish we could find cooler weather!! On to Springfield, illinois @GTGolf pic.twitter.com/RNjcEq4LM1
— COA Golf (@golfplanners) June 25, 2023
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KUCHAR ADDS JOHN DEERE CLASSIC TO SCHEDULE
The John Deere Classic added a commitment from one of the PGA Tour’s more popular figures on Saturday.
Tournament officials announced via social media posts that Matt Kuchar has committed to play in the $7.4 million event in two weeks at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
It will be just the seventh time Kuchar has played in the Quad-Cities. He has made four cuts with his best finish being a T13 in 2005. He finished T66 in his most recent tourney here, that in 2009.
The recently turned 45-year-old sits 50th in the FedExCup standing with 666 points and has cashed just shy of $2.8 million this season. Kuchar, who is 53rd in the Official World Golf Rankings, is looking at securing a spot in the playoffs in the stretch run of the 2022-23 season.
More from the Quad Cities Times
KUUUUUUUUUUUUCH!
See Matt Kuchar tee it up at #JDC23 July 5-9!Get tickets here: https://t.co/Vrz6Ae8aBM#JohnDeereClassic #MagicHappensHere #JohnDeere #TPCDeereRun #PGATOUR #golf pic.twitter.com/ZhyJU0Xdzz
— John Deere Classic (@JDCLASSIC) June 24, 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: Rocket Mortgage Classic • June 29-July 2, 2023 • Detroit Golf Club • Detroit, Mich. • Purse: $8.8M • FedEx Cup points: 500
- Korn Ferry Tour: Memorial Health Championship • June 29-July 2, 2023 • Panther Creek Golf Club • Springfield, Ill. • Purse: $1M
- PGA Tour Champions: U.S. Senior Open Championship • June 29-July 2, 2023 • Sentry World • Stevens Point, Wis. • Purse: n/a
- PGA Tour Canada: ATB Classic • June 29-July 2, 2023 • Northern Bear • Strathcona County, Alberta • Purse: $225,000
- 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: Greenville Open • August 9-11, 2023 • Brook Valley Country Club • Greenville, N.C. • Purse: $66,525
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Wishing happy birthday to the 1998 Haskins Award presented by Stifel winner, Matt Kuchar! pic.twitter.com/jKGPaqqxJy
— The Haskins Award (@TheHaskinsAward) June 21, 2023
Pretty good list to add your name to…WOW. Congrats to Christo. https://t.co/FtHS022IYi
— Roberto Castro (@cicioCASTRO) June 24, 2023
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
Will Dickson Returning to Rhode Island for Providence Open https://t.co/kiEAaG1MEF @will_dicksongt #golfnewsri #willdickson
— GolfNewsRI (@golf_ri) June 21, 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: 233
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: 12
YTD Earnings (Champions): $273,786
Career earnings (Champions): $1,364,145
FedEx Cup points ranking: 173
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 ChampionsDid not play Schwab Cup Points ranking: 51
YTD earnings (Champions): $351,167
Career earnings (Champions): $644,457
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: 138
YTD earnings: $563,066
Career earnings: $12,287,126 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 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: 102
YTD earnings: $1,260,037
Career earnings (PGAT): $60,018,727 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: 39
YTD earnings (KFT): $227,620
Career earnings (PGAT): $846,696
Career earnings (KFT): $853,738 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 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
Waverly Open
T-14GPro 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: 53
YTD earnings (KFT): $167,256
Career earnings (KFT): $191,377 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: 56
YTD earnings (KFT): $65,960
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $57,000
Career earnings (KFT): $620,681
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: 126
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $735,743
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $3,381,552
KFT points ranking: 107
YTD earnings (KFT): $206,369
Career earnings (KFT): $350,642