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Georgia Tech "#ProJackets" Golf Report

THE FLATS – It’s Masters week! Georgia Tech has only one representative in the field for the first major championship of 2024, and it’s amateur Christo Lamprecht, Yellow Jacket senior from George, South Africa. Enjoy some great stories that have been written on the 6-foot-8 All-American in various golf publications in the run-up. More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.


LAMPRECHT’S NEXT TALL ORDER: REP HIMSELF, TECH AT MASTERS

The obligations and opportunities are piling up around Georgia Tech’s Christo Lamprecht these days, so high that they might block the view of even golf’s human cellphone tower.

Easy to lose sight of the moment when so much future clutters the horizon.

“I think it’s human to get in that situation of thinking ahead to what can happen and what can’t,” said Lamprecht last week, leaning anxiously forward from his chair inside the sanctuary of the Tech golf facility.

“I try to remind myself whenever I get into that position, hey, what matters is what’s in front of you right now.”

Most immediate is a tee time at the Masters (April 11-14), where he figures to be the only player with any Tech ties playing in Bobby Jones’ ode to spring. Lean year on the Jackets golfing front.

Beyond that, the coming attractions include: Completion of a resplendent college playing career. A spring graduation walk with finance degree in hand, rewarding all that faith he put into a decision to leave South Africa for a foreign, cluttered outpost in the American South. And seven weeks of golf that could go miles toward defining his dream to play professionally. Lamprecht is one of two players competing for a place in the big leagues through the PGA Tour University points system designed to advance the best college players. Other than that, nothing much happening for the guy.


TOWERING GOLFER CHRISTO LAMPRECHT SWINGS FOR MASTERS HISTORY

Christo Lamprecht knows what’s coming.

As a 6-foot-8 senior at Georgia Tech, Lamprecht gets it. He understands that most of the time, strangers who see him wearing a Tech T-shirt or hoodie definitely do not assume that his sport of choice is golf and, when they learn it is, inevitably ask him the same set of questions.

So, for the record:

Yes, he has big sneakers. (He’s a size 13.)

No, he’s not on the Tech basketball team. (Though he’s taller than 12 of the 16 players who are.)

Yes, he likes basketball and the NBA even though he didn’t watch a game until he was 12. (Rugby and soccer are far more popular in his home country of South Africa.)

And no, dunking isn’t easy for him, despite the fact he’s nearly the same height as LeBron James. “I kind of have to put a lot of effort into it,” Lamprecht says earnestly. “It’s hard — it’s a full two-leg jump!” Quickly recognizing that most other humans won’t necessarily accept this explanation from someone who is taller than the average refrigerator, he adds, in a slightly lower voice, “I’m probably not the best jumper in the world.”

Fortunately for Lamprecht, a decent vertical isn’t especially relevant to his life aspirations. Professional golf awaits him later this summer, but this week he’ll play at the Masters — where, by all accounts, he’ll become the tallest competitor in the history of the event.


IS CHRISTO LAMPRECHT GOLF’S NEXT BIG THING?

At 6′ 8″, the South African amateur is likely the tallest golfer in Masters history. More relevant: He’s the No. 1-ranked amateur in the world. Here’s hoping his debut is a [groans] slam dunk.

The scene: Zooming from the team room at Georgia Tech, where the 23-year-old is a college senior.

Dylan Dethier: Growing up in South Africa, who were your golfing heroes?

Christo Lamprecht: Ernie Els. I’ve gotten to know him personally a little, and I’ve looked up to him a lot. Gary Player is obviously our golf legend, our godfather, like Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer in America. And Louis [Oosthuizen] has always been a great mentor to me too. So those are probably my top three South African golfers.


TALL ORDER: AMATEUR LAMPRECHT POSSESSES POWER FOR AUGUSTA NATIONAL

At No. 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Lamprecht fits in just fine in his last season at Georgia Tech – where he has no trouble sleeping at a school accustomed to housing basketball and football players at least as tall as the 23-year-old South African. Despite heading to college after becoming the youngest player to win the South African Amateur Championship in 2017, he fulfilled a promise to his college coach, Bruce Heppler, to stay four years until he graduated, never considering turning pro early. Now he is threatening to break the Georgia Tech career scoring average record (70.19 by Bryce Molder) with a career mark of 70.10.

“I think you’re only as valuable as your word,” he said. “Also, I personally needed the four years. I think I’m somewhat ready to turn pro now. My golf game is ready. And I think turning pro in today’s circuit, you’ve got to time it correctly to make sure that I feel like I want to be out there and the first tournament I play as a professional I feel like I can win.”

Lamprecht narrowly ranks second to Stanford’s Michael Thorbjornsen in the PGA Tour University Ranking, to which the top finisher at the end of the NCAA Championship in May will earn a PGA Tour card for the rest of the 2024 season and the top five earn Korn Ferry Tour status. It’s a vehicle that launched Ludvig Åberg to immediate stardom last year.


COMPETITION ROUNDUP FROM LAST WEEKEND

PGA Tour

Stewart Cink tied for 39th place at 2-under-par 286, and Vince Whaley tied for 69th place at 2-over-par 290 at the Valero Texas Open. Chesson Hadley and Matt Kuchar both missed the cut in an event where many of the competitors tuned up for this week’s Masters.

PGA Tour leaderboard

*****

Korn Ferry Tour

Ollie Schniederjans competed for the first time in a year and earned a top-10 finish, tying for ninth place at last weekend’s Club Car Championship in Savannah, Ga. The former Tech All-American posted a 10-under-par total of 278 at The Landings Golf and Athletic Club, four shots off the lead.

Chris Petefish also made the cut in the Korn Ferry Tour’s first 2024 event on American soil, tying for 48th place (286, -2). Eight Yellow Jackets total competed in the event.

Korn Ferry Tour leaderboard

*****

LIV Golf Series

At Trump Doral Golf Club in Miami, Cameron Tringale tied for 21st place at 2-under-par 214, while Andy Ogletree was 50th at 227 (+11). Their HyFlyers team, which includes Phil Mickelson and Brendan Steele, finished last.

LIV leaderboard


 

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • PGA Tour: Masters Tournament • April 11-14, 2024 • Augusta National Golf Club • Augusta, Ga. • Purse: TBA • FedEx Cup points: 750
  • Korn Ferry Tour:  LECOM Suncoast Classic • April 18-21, 2024 • Lakewood National Golf Club • Lakewood Ranch, Fla. • Purse: $1M • KFT points: 500
  • PGA Tour Champions: Invited Celebrity Classic • April 19-21, 2024 • Las Colinas Country Club • Irving, Texas • Purse: $2.2M
  • PGA Tour Americas: 69th ECP Brazil Open • April 18-21, 2024 • Rio Olympic Golf Course • Rio de Janeiro, Brazil • Purse: $225K • Fortinet Cup points: n/a
  • Asian Tour/International Series: International Series Morocco • July 4-7, 2024 • Royal Golf Dar Es Salam • Morocco • Purse: $2M
  • LIV Golf Series: Adelaide • April 26-28, 2024 • The Grange Golf Club • Adelaide, Autralia • Purse: $20M
  • GPro Tour: Sanctuary Championship • April 9-11, 2024 • Sanctuary Golf Club • Waverly, Ga. • Purse: $119,175

 

#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

 

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PLAYERPLAYERLAST WEEKDATA
ANDERS ALBERTSON
Hometown: Woodstock, Ga.
Turned pro: 2015
Years at Georgia Tech: 2011-15
Status: PGA Tour
Did not playFedEx 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 Champions
PGA Tour Champions
SAS Championship
T-11 (-5)
Schwab Cup points ranking: 16
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 tours
Did not playGPro 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 Champions
PGA Tour Champions
SAS Championship
WD
Schwab Cup Points ranking: 53
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 Tour
Did not playFortinet 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 Tour
PGA Tour
Black Desert Championship
T-64 (-3)
FedEx Cup points ranking: 142
YTD earnings: $596,746
Career earnings: $12,320,806
SHUN YAT HAK
Hometown: Hong Kong
Turned pro: 2013
Years at Georgia Tech: 2012-13
Status: PGA Tour China
Did not playGPro Tour points ranking: n/a
PAUL HALEY II
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Turned pro: 2011
Years at Georgia Tech: 2007-11
Status: PGA Tour
Did not playFedEx 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 Canada
PGA Tour Qualifying
1st stage - Lincoln, Neb.
T-7 (advanced)
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 Tour
Did not playFedEx 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 Tour
Did not playKFT 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 tours
Did not playGPro points ranking: 72
YTD earnings: $1,215
LARRY MIZE
Residence: Columbus, Ga.
Turned pro: 1980
Years at Georgia Tech: 1975-79
Status: PGA Tour Champions
Did not playSchwab 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 Tour
Did not playLIV 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 Tour
Did not playKFT 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 Tour
Did not playKFT 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 Tour
PGA Tour Qualifying
1st stage - Lincoln, Neb.
6th (advanced)
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 Tour
Did not playKFT 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 tours
Did not playGPro 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 Tour
Did not playKFT 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: none
Did not playFortinet 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 Tour
Did not playLIV 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 Tour
Did not playKFT 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 Tour
PGA Tour
Black Desert Championship
67th (-1)
FedEx Cup points ranking: 125
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $859,868
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $3,505,677
KFT points ranking: 107
YTD earnings (KFT): $206,369
Career earnings (KFT): $350,642

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