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 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