THE FLATS – Fall race for 2024 PGA Tour status begins this weekend for six Yellow Jackets … Chris Petefish looking for strong finish in Korn Ferry Tour finals … J.T. Griffin rallies in last two PGA Tour Canada events to retain status for 2024 … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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SIX JACKETS TEEING IT UP AT FORTINET CHAMPIONSHIP
Six Yellow Jackets, some of whom are battling to retain their PGA Tour cards for the 2024 season, return to action this weekend as the PGA Tour begins its seven-event fall sprint with the Fortinet Championship in Napa, Calif.
Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar and Richy Werenski are in the field as tournament winners the past two seasons, but Kuchar, at No. 66 in FedEx Cup points, is the only one of the three whose 2024 status is secure heading into the fall schedule.
The top 125 in points after the season-ending RSM Classic in November retain their cards for 2024. Cink, the winner of the Fortinet Championship in 2021, sits No. 167 in the FedEx Cup points standings, while Werenski is No. 145. Chesson Hadley holds the No. 121 position, while Paul Haley II is No. 134, and Vincent Whaley is No. 222.
Cink also sits in No. 40 in the Schwab Cup standings on the PGA Tour Champions.
Complete FedEx Cup points standings
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JACKETS RESUME KORN FERRY TOUR FINALS
Chris Petefish resumes his bid for PGA Tour status this weekend when the Korn Ferry Tour Finals resumes with the Simmons Bank Open in College Grove, Tenn. Petefish is No. 53 in the Korn Ferry Tour points list, and would continue to play through the Korn Ferry Tour Championship if he maintains his position.
With three events remaining, Petefish can improve his position with high finishes and potentially finish among the top 30 in points at the end, which would earn him a 2024 PGA Tour card. At his current position, he would be exempt into the final stage of the PGA Tour qualifying school, where the top five finishers earn 2024 cards.
Ross Steelman, a rookie on the tour following his No. 2 finish in the PGA Tour University standings at the end of the college season, ranks No. 162 and is an alternate for the Simmons Bank Open. His PGA Tour University finish affords him exemption into the final stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying School, and unlimited sponsor exemptions into PGA Tour events this fall and next year.
After this week, the field will number the top 120 for the Nationwide Childrens Hospital Championship (Sept. 21-24), and the top 75 will compete in the season ending Korn Ferry Tour Championship (Oct. 5-8).
Full Korn Ferry Tour points list
The fish is bringing the mojo 🐠
Ever since @petefish7 put on his old fish head cover in Oklahoma, his game has been trending, including a second-place finish last week @UTChampionship. pic.twitter.com/7y2xNBsBnD
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) August 9, 2023
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FOUR YELLOW JACKETS CONCLUDE PGA TOUR CANADA SEASON
Four Yellow Jackets concluded their PGA Tour Canada seasons last weekend at the Fortinet Cup Championship in Calgary, Alberta. The top 60 players in the Fortinet Cup points standings qualify for the season-ending event.
J.T. Griffin put together two strong performance in the last two events, including a tie for 19th last weekend to finish at No. 52 in the points standings. Connor Howe tied for 29th to finish at No. 20 in the standings, while Luke Schniederjans tied for 52nd place to finish at No. 23 in points. Tyler Strafaci withdrew after three rounds, and finished No. 60 in points.
All four players retained their status on the tour for 2024.
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.
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CINK’S CALF MUSCLES IMPRESS SOCIAL MEDIA
The 2023 Ryder Cup is still more than a couple weeks away, but if the scoring was based on calf muscles, the U.S. would already hold an edge. And a HUGE one at that.
Zach Johnson’s squad gathered in Rome over the weekend for a scouting report of Marco Simone, but it was one particular photo from the team bonding mission that turned heads. And had everyone looking at Stewart Cink’s legs.
That’s because the 6-foot-4 American vice captain looked like an absolute unit wearing team shorts. Let’s just say it doesn’t appear that the 50-year-old has skipped leg day since winning the 2009 Open Championship. Have a look for yourself. (Cink is on the left side of the photo, but you’ll have no problem finding the guy who looks like he’s standing on two oil barrels.)
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thank you @marcosimonegolf for an amazing weekend! pic.twitter.com/F2r3IF2uWi
— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 9, 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: season concluded
- Asian Tour: International Series Singapore • October 5-8, 2023 • Tanah Merah Country Club • Singapore • Purse: $2M
- 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
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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