THE FLATS – Chris Petefish and Stewart Cink rack up top-10 finishes on Korn Ferry and Champions Tours … Andy Ogletree vanquished from LIV after first event but has fought is way back, will others follow his path? … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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PETEFISH SCORES RUNNER-UP FINISH IN PENULTIMATE KORN FERRY EVENT
With a tie for second at last weekend’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship, Chris Petefish made an 11-spot jump in the Korn Ferry Tour points standings and assured himself a tee time at the season-ending Korn Ferry Tour Championship, which will be played Oct. 5-8 in Newburgh, Ind.
It was Petefish’s second runner-up finish this year – he also was runner-up at the Utah Championship in August – and third in the top-10. After a string of seven missed cuts in nine events early this season left him at No. 88 in the points standings, he has fought his way back up to No. 44, assuring him Korn Ferry status for 2024, but he must play himself into the top 30 to earn PGA Tour status.
Petefish finished the weekend in Columbus with a 6-under-par score of 278 on the Ohio State University Scarlet Course.
And it was a day! T2 and one hell of a nice putt on 18 for the save. @GTGolf pic.twitter.com/sEHQEwycGf
— COA Golf (@golfplanners) September 25, 2023
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CINK EARNS TOP-10 ON CHAMPIONS TOUR BEFORE HEADING BACK TO ITALY
In between a scouting trip to Italy as vice-captain for the USA team for the Ryder Cup and the actual event itself, which is this weekend, Stewart Cink squeezed in a trip to Pebble Beach, Calif., last weekend and captured a top-10 finish in his fourth start on the PGA Tour Champions.
Cink shot 8-under-par 208 over 54 holes at the PURE Insurance Championship, his third top-10 finish in four tries, and he has earned nearly as much money ($468,639) in four Champions Tour starts as he has accumulated in 23 PGA Tour events this year. His current standing of No. 40 will qualify him for the Charles Schwab Cup playoffs.
Cink sticks this one close over a grazing spectator at the 11th 🦌@PUREFirstTee | @stewartcink pic.twitter.com/5wmb4sDO22
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) September 23, 2023
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WILL OTHERS FOLLOW THE PATH OGLETREE HAS TAKEN?
Last June, at LIV Golf’s debut event outside of London, Charl Schwartzel shot seven under par over three rounds to win the circuit’s first-ever first prize: a check for $4 million.
Thirty-one strokes behind him was a former U.S. Amateur champ battling injury and professional golf limbo. Andy Ogletree had some conditional status on the Korn Ferry Tour, but not enough to play a meaningful number of events. In what mostly amounted to an act of desperation, he had elected to roll the dice and play LIV’s inaugural tournament.
But shooting 82-77-75 wasn’t in his plans. Getting subsequently suspended from the PGA Tour wasn’t, either. Nor was what came after. LIV recruited bigger names than his, booting Ogletree out of the 48-player circuit and into obscurity.
But in the 15 months that followed, Ogletree played his way out of limbo. Now he’s on the brink of a full-time return to LIV. Speaking at this week’s LIV event outside of Chicago — where he’s filling in as a reserve — he thinks other young pros may follow his path, providing a concrete example of the ways in which LIV could shape the future for young pros.
All of which raises an essential question: Does he have a point?
At LIV’s first event he finished 31 shots off the lead. Now Andy Ogletree is on the brink of return — and other pros are taking note of his path back.https://t.co/0sOP9wJb0c
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) September 22, 2023
Andy Ogletree has had a stand out year on the Asian Tour’s International Series, all but regaining his LIV status for the 2024 league. He says that now people can see what’s he’s achieved, more young Americans may look to Asia as an option:
“Guys are gonna go to the Korn Ferry Q… pic.twitter.com/Vy8iF5gfj2
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) September 20, 2023
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: Sanderson Farms Championship • October 5-8, 2023 • Country Club of Jackson • Jackson, Miss. • Purse: $8.2M • FedEx Cup points: 500
- Korn Ferry Tour: Korn Ferry Tour Championship • October 5-8, 2023 • Victoria National Golf Club • Newburgh, Ind. • Purse: $1.5M
- PGA Tour Champions: Constellation Furyk & Friends • October 6-8, 2023 • Timuquana Country Club • Jacksonville, Fla. • Purse: $2.1M
- PGA Tour Canada: season concluded
- Asian Tour: International Series Singapore • October 5-8, 2023 • Tanah Merah Country Club • Singapore • Purse: $2M
- LIV Golf Series: Jeddah • October 13-15, 2023 • Royal Greens Golf and Country Club • Saudi Arabia • Purse: $25M
- G Pro Tour: Cardinal Classic • October 10-12, 2023 • The Cardinal by Pete Dye • Greensboro, N.C. • Purse: $66,525
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
I’m in Houston @MDAndersonNews for follow up surveillance on the colon cancer I HAD! But don’t have now!!!!! Dr. Scott Kopetz and his team are truly THE BEST!Words can’t describe how blessed I’ve been to have an amazing team in Houston and @tidelandshealth in Murrells Inlet,…
— Charlie Rymer (@CharlieRymerPGA) September 20, 2023
Dialed! Ready for another stretch! @andy_ogletree pic.twitter.com/xvLyuAcNtD
— Tony Ruggiero (@dewsweepergolf) September 17, 2023
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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 TourDid not play FedEx Cup points ranking: n/a
YTD earnings: n/a
KFT points ranking: n/a
YTD earnings (KFT): n/a
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 ChampionsPGA Tour Champions
Trophy Hassan II
T-6 (-3)Schwab Cup points ranking: 7
YTD Earnings (Champions): $148,000
Career earnings (Champions): $1,874,795
FedEx Cup points ranking: n/a
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): n/a
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: n/a
YTD Earnings (GPro): n/a
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
Trophy Hassan II
T-39 (+5)Schwab Cup Points ranking: 33
YTD earnings (Champions): $39,450
Career earnings (Champions): $692,480
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 TourKorn Ferry Tour
Astara Golf Championship
missed cutFedEx Cup points ranking: n/a
YTD earnings: n/a
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 TourKorn Ferry Tour
Astara Golf Championship
missed cutKFT Points ranking: 113
YTD earnings (KFT): $4,580
Career earnings (PGAT): $837,353
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 TourDid not play FedEx Cup points ranking: 59
YTD earnings: n/a
Career earnings (PGAT): $60,228,357 CHRISTO LAMPRECHT
Hometown: George, South Africa
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2000-24
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Astara Golf Championship
T-2 (-17)KFT points ranking: 6
YTD earnings: $124,433
Career earnings (KFT): $166,937 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 League
Riyadh
54 (+3)LIV standings: 54
YTD earnings (LIV): n/a
Order of Merit (Asian Tour): n/a
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): n/a
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: n/a
YTD earnings (KFT): n/a
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 TourKorn Ferry Tour
Astara Golf Championship
T-79 (+4)KFT points ranking: 136
YTD earnings (KFT): $7,450
Career earnings (PGAT): $233,065
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 Fortinet Cup points: n/a
YTD earnings (PGAT Americas): N/a
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 League
Riyadh
T-30 (-6)Asian Tour Order of Merit: 30
YTD earnings (LIV): $165,000
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: n/a
YTD earnings: n/a ROSS STEELMAN
Hometown: Columbia, Mo.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2023
Years at Georgia Tech: 2021-23
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Panama Championship
missed cutKFT points ranking: 16
YTD earnings (KFT): $29,375
Career earnings (KFT): $226,214 TYLER STRAFACI
Hometown: Davie, Fla.
Residence: Davie, Fla.
Turned pro: 2020
Years at Georgia Tech: 2016-20
Status: noneKorn Ferry Tour
Panama Championship
missed cutFortinet Cup points: n/a
YTD earnings (PGAT Americas): n/a
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 TourLIV Golf League
Riyadh
T-18 (-9)LIV standings: 18
YTD Earnings (LIV): $250,000
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): $22,700
Career earnings (LIV): $9,849,325
Career earnings (PGAT): $17,310,004 RICHY WERENSKI
Hometown: South Hadley, Mass.
Turned pro: 2014
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-14
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Astara Golf Championship
T-68 (-1)KFT points ranking: 70
YTD earnings (KFT): $16,140
Career earnings (KFT): $648,644
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): n/a
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 TourPGA Tour
WM Phoenix Open
missed cutFedEx Cup points ranking: 128
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $88,134
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $4,208,156
KFT points ranking: 107
YTD earnings (KFT): $206,369
Career earnings (KFT): $350,642