THE FLATS – Andy Ogletree close to making his return to LIV Golf reality … All four Yellow Jackets on the PGA Tour Canada qualify for season-ending Fortinet Cup Championship … Stewart Cink bringing analytical approach to USA Ryder Cup team … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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“EARN MY WAY BACK”: OGLETREE’S LIV GOAL NEARLY A REALITY
LIV Golf has been somewhat of a trailblazer golf league ever since its start. Its inaugural event in London back in 2022 was truly one of a kind. One name that popped up that year was of a US Amateur Champion who played in London that year in the hopes of kickstarting his professional career in the glorious league.
The golfer’s professional life took an uncertain turn after his London debut, but it turns out, he is finding his way back to the mainstream golf, and that too after displaying some exceptional golfing skills. The young golfer has found his ray of hope amid the uncertainties that are rolling over the league after the $3 billion merger.
In 2022, Andy Ogletree competed in the LIV Golf inaugural event in London, and at that point, he was not affiliated with any tour. But after his appearance in London, the PGA Tour shut him off, and he also failed to earn the LIV Golf membership.
After the setback, he made his way to the Asian Tour, particularly for the ‘International Series,’ a series of $2 million events funded by the Saudi-backed league. The 25-year-old golfer has been performing exceptionally well on the Asian Tour and is very close to living his LIV Golf dream and locking in his place for the upcoming season.
Andy Ogletree on earning his way back onto LIV for the 2024 season via the Asian Tour:
“I can’t wait, you know, getting a taste of it early on in the first tournament, I kind of thought going into LIV London that it wouldn’t be my only event last year and I would play at least… pic.twitter.com/7py9ORs4fa
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) August 30, 2023
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FOUR YELLOW JACKETS QUALIFY FOR FORTINET CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
All four Yellow Jackets competing on PGA Tour Canada have qualified for the Fortinet Cup Championship being contested this weekend in Calgary, Alberta. The top 60 players in the Fortinet Cup points standings qualify for the season-ending event.
Luke Schniederjans stands No. 14 in the standings, while Connor Howe is No. 17, despite both missing the cut last weekend at the Manitoba Open. J.T. Griffin, who sat at No. 75 entering last weekend’s tournament, tied for 13th place at Manitoba, boosting his standing to No. 55 and ensuring qualification. Tyler Strafaci missed the cut last weekend but is in at No. 57.
The winner of the Fortinet Cup will receive a $25,000 bonus and full status on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour. The second- through fifth-place finishers earn conditional Korn Ferry status and all five will be exempt into the final stage of the 2023 PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry.
Howe is exempt through the first stage of Q-School by virtue of his No. 18 finish in the PGA Tour University standings at the close of his senior season at Georgia Tech.
18 more holes to decide who gets into next week’s Fortinet Cup Championship (Top 60 Players) pic.twitter.com/QUht9kGJcY
— PGA TOUR Canada – Fortinet Cup (@PGATOURCanada) September 3, 2023
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CINK BRINGS ANALYTICAL APPROACH TO USA TEAM
Mark your calendars for the Ryder Cup 2023, scheduled to unfold from 29th September to 1st October 2023. This highly anticipated event will be hosted in Italy, a picturesque backdrop for one of the most thrilling golf showdowns in the world. The Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, situated near Rome, promises to offer not only a challenging golf course but also a mesmerizing setting for players and spectators alike.
Stewart Cink’s analytical thinking and dedication to the sport make him an asset to the leadership team. His strategic input could contribute to Team USA’s winning strategy.
Our very own Betsy Dixon had a blast from the past with high school friend @StewartCink on Tuesday at @PGA Frisco for the @RyderCupUSA Captain’s Picks announcement!
Catch the U.S. Vice Captain on @DFWTicket at 4:15pm to hear his thoughts on @ZachJohnsonPGA’s selections and next… pic.twitter.com/Z6GrAyvEjA
— Tony Fay PR (@TonyFayPR) August 31, 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: Fortinet Championship • September 14-17, 2023 • Silverado Resort (North Course) • Napa, Calif. • Purse: $8.4M • FedEx Cup points: 500
- Korn Ferry Tour: Simmons Bank Open • September 14-17, 2023 • The Grove • College Grove, Tenn. • Purse: $1.5M
- PGA Tour Champions: Ascension Charity Classic • September 8-10, 2023 • Norwood Hills Country Club • St. Louis, Mo. • Purse: $2M
- PGA Tour Canada: Fortinet Cup Championship • September 7-10, 2023 • Country Hills Golf Club • Calgary, Alberta • Purse: $225,000
- Asian Tour: Shinhan Donghae Open • September 7-10, 2023 • Ocean Course at Club72 • Korea • Purse: $1.4M
- LIV Golf Series: Chicago • September 22-24, 2023 • Rich Harvest Farms • Sugar Grove, Ill. • Purse: $25M
- G Pro Tour: Rock Hill Championship • September 12-14, 2023 • Rock Hill Country Club • Rock Hill, S.C. • Purse: $109,525
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
View this post on Instagram
Great conversation last night on stage at the World’s Largest 19th Hole! Be on the lookout for the full segment on our podcast feed! pic.twitter.com/cJ8x8MYgsD
— Myrtle Beach Golf (@MyrtleBeachGolf) August 29, 2023
My buddy Charlie Rymer @CharlieRymerPGA joined me on @GrillingATG to catch up. We cover lots,, ball role back, traveling, tournaments, Charlie’s work (if you call it that), low country boil, and more topics.https://t.co/lPfo0dQwkA Charlie shares his own travel tip. @WestonKIAOR pic.twitter.com/GmvaJJ2LRi
— jeff tracy (@cowcook57) August 30, 2023
PLAYER PLAYER LAST WEEK DATA ANDERS ALBERTSON
Hometown: Woodstock, Ga.
Turned pro: 2015
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-15
Status: PGA TourPGA Tour
Rocket Classic
missed cutFedEx Cup ranking: 211
YTD earnings (PGAT): $30,782
KFT points ranking: 154
YTD earnings (KFT): $16,067
Career earnings (PGAT): $587,687
Career earnings (KFT): $946,022 STEWART CINK
Hometown: Florence, Ala.
Residence: Duluth, Ga.
Turned pro: 1995
Years at Georgia Tech: 1991-95
Status: PGA Tour/PGA Tour ChampionsUSGA
U.S. Senior Open
Runner-up (-10)Schwab Cup points ranking: 2
YTD Earnings (Champions): $1,788,982
Career earnings (Champions): $3,515,777
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: 59
YTD Earnings (GPro): $3,310
Career earnings (GPro): $59,704
Points ranking (KFT): n/a
YTD earnings (KFT): n/a 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
Kaulig Companies Championship
T-33 (+5)Schwab Cup Points ranking: 38
YTD earnings (Champions): $278,763
Career earnings (Champions): $931,972
Career earnings (PGAT): $18,983,931 BARTLEY FORRESTER
Hometown: Gainesville, Ga.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2025
Years at Georgia Tech: 2019-24
Status: Developmental toursDid not play GPro points ranking: 10
YTD earnings: $13,485 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 TourKorn Ferry Tour
Memorial Health Championship
T-11 (-20)Korn Ferry Tour points ranking: 145
YTD earnings (KFT): $45,480
Career earnings (KFT): $1,127,909
FedEx Cup points ranking: 198
YTD earnings: $45,480
Career earnings: $12,397,606 SHUN YAT HAK
Hometown: Hong Kong
Turned pro: 2013
Years at Georgia Tech: 2012-13
Status: PGA Tour ChinaDid not play PAUL HALEY II
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Turned pro: 2011
Years at Georgia Tech: 2007-11
Status: PGA TourKorn Ferry Tour
Memorial Health Championship
T-59 (-10)KFT Points ranking: 180
YTD earnings (KFT): $12,660
Career earnings (PGAT): $1,110,865
Career earnings (KFT): $1,102,785 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: n/a
YTD earnings (KFT): n/a
Fortinet Cup points ranking: n/a
YTD earnings (PGAT Americas): n/a MATT KUCHAR
Hometown:
Lake Mary, Fla.
Residence: Sea Island, Ga.
Turned pro: 2000
Years at Georgia Tech: 1997-2000
Status: PGA TourPGA Tour
Rocket Classic
missed cutFedEx Cup points ranking: 135
YTD earnings: $636,429
Career earnings (PGAT): $60,864,786 CHRISTO LAMPRECHT
Hometown: George, South Africa
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2000-24
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Memorial Health Championship
missed cutKFT points ranking: 24
YTD earnings: $166,537
Career earnings (KFT): $285,715
Career earnings (PGAT): $76,674 ANDY MAO
Hometown: Johns Creek, Ga.
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2020-24
Status: developmental toursDid not play GPro points ranking: n/a
YTD earnings: n/a LARRY MIZE
Residence: Columbus, Ga.
Turned pro: 1980
Years at Georgia Tech: 1975-79
Status: PGA Tour ChampionsDid not play Schwab Cup points ranking: n/a
YTD earnings: n/a
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 TourLIV Golf
Dallas
T-40 (+8)LIV standings: 50
YTD earnings (LIV): $1,033,550
Order of Merit (Asian Tour): n/a
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): n/a
Career earnings (LIV): $4,884,800 CHRIS PETEFISH
Hometown: Danville, Calif.
Turned pro: 2018
Years at Georgia Tech: 2014-18
Status: Korn Ferry TourDid not play GPro points ranking: 63
YTD earnings (GPro): $3,165
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: 209
YTD earnings (KFT): $7,450
Career earnings (PGAT): $686,162
Career earnings (KFT): $866,633 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 Career earnings (Canada): $46,844 OLLIE SCHNIEDERJANS
Hometown: Powder Springs, Ga.
Turned pro: 2015
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-15
Status: Korn Ferry TourLIV Golf
Dallas
50th (+12)Asian Tour Order of Merit: 30
LIV standings: 57
YTD earnings (LIV): $290,572
YTD Earnings (Asian): $360,000
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 toursDid not play GPro points ranking: 37
YTD earnings: $4,725 ROSS STEELMAN
Hometown: Columbia, Mo.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2023
Years at Georgia Tech: 2021-23
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Memorial Health Championship
T-48 (-13)KFT points ranking: 28
YTD earnings (KFT): $163,692
Career earnings (KFT): $457,473
Career earnings (PGAT): $96,914 TYLER STRAFACI
Hometown: Davie, Fla.
Residence: Davie, Fla.
Turned pro: 2020
Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-20
Status: noneDid not play GPro points ranking: 26
YTD earnings (GPro): $5,485
Career earnings (PGA Tour Americas): $45,761
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 TourLIV Golf
Dallas
T-9 (-4)LIV standings: 32
YTD Earnings (LIV): $2,011,893
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): $22,700
Career earnings (LIV): $13,339,321
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
Memorial Health Championship
T-62KFT points ranking: 116
YTD earnings (KFT): $40,266
Career earnings (KFT): $676,801
Career earnings (PGAT): $6,789,530 VINCENT WHALEY
Hometown: McKinney, Texas
Residence: Alpharetta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2017
Years at Georgia Tech: 2013-17
Status: PGA TourPGA Tour
Rocket Classic
T-32 (-14)FedEx Cup points ranking: 104
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $787,701
Career earnings (PGAT): $5,270,321
Career earnings (KFT): $362,778