THE FLATS – It’ll be a Yellow Jacket foursome in Pinehurst after three #ProJackets make it through final qualifying Monday … Matt Kuchar tries out 0-degree putter to fit his reverse-armlock style … David Duval delivers career-best finish on PGA Tour Champions … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
THREE JACKETS MAKE IT THROUGH FINAL U.S. OPEN QUALIFYING
Georgia Tech sophomore Hiroshi Tai will have company in Pinehurst next week after three Yellow Jacket pros made it through final qualifying tournaments Monday for the 124th U.S. Open championship.
Tai earned an exemption last week as a result of winning the NCAA Championship in Carlsbad, Calif., but that made him only the first Jacket in the field. Thirteen Tech pros entered final qualifying at five different sites Monday, and Matt Kuchar, Chris Petefish and Chesson Hadley all qualified.
Kuchar was the medalist at Bear’s Best in Jupiter, Fla., pacing the field with rounds of 70-67 (137, -7) and earning one of the five available spots. The nine-time PGA Tour winner will compete in his 21st U.S. Open next week.
Petefish, in his second full season on the Korn Ferry Tour, was one of six Yellow Jackets competing at the team’s home course, the Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta. He came away with one of the three available spots there as co-medalist (13-under-par 131), and was the only professional to qualify at that site, joining amateurs Jackson Buchanan and Frederik Kjettrup.
Hadley tied for fourth and grabbed one of the seven spots available at the Duke University Golf Club in Durham, N.C., posting a 4-under-par total of 136. The Raleigh, N.C., native will compete in his fourth U.S. Open.
Among the Jackets who came up short Monday were Korn Ferry Tour player Connor Howe (-11), who finished fourth in Alpharetta and is the first alternate. Ollie Schniederjans (-9), Andy Ogletree (-7), Christo Lamprecht (even) and Aidan Kramer (+1) also failed to qualify.
Cameron Tringale and Tyler Strafaci were among those who did not advance in Jupiter, Fla., while Stewart Cink came up short in Ridgeway, Ontario and Vince Whaley didn’t make it in Columbus, Ohio.
Ticket punched 🎟️
Chris Petefish will tee it up in his first @USOpenGolf after successfully qualifying today in Alpharetta. pic.twitter.com/uL4RlT2IME
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) June 4, 2024
#TeamPM’s Ryan Gerard and Chesson Hadley are playing together in the longest day of golf. Coming down to the final holes as they look to qualify for the @usopengolf. pic.twitter.com/GftBbqx5kc
— Peter Millar (@petermillar) June 3, 2024
That was a close one!
Matt Kuchar remains as the solo leader. pic.twitter.com/8f0tAnuF4e
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) November 5, 2023
KUCHAR TRIES OUT 0-DEGREE PUTTER
Golf is a game of trends, especially as it relates to putting. Over the last several years, the armlock putting style has soared in popularity.
But Matt Kuchar is reversing the trend, and now he has a putter to match his style.
Kuchar is using a unique Bettinardi prototype putter specifically designed for Kuchar’s reverse-armlock putting style, meaning his hands sit behind the golf ball at address. That grip and stroke style necessitates a putter with zero degrees of loft because Kuchar adds loft with his stroke. A standard putter is lofted between two and five degrees, but if Kuchar used that much loft with his hands positioned behind the golf ball, the putter would have far too much effective loft, launching the ball in the air and causing it to bounce too much. A putter with zero degrees of loft helps him offset the stroke style and achieve a quicker roll.
Kuchar, who has deployed a reverse-armlock style since 2021, wanted a putter that measured 40.5 inches so the end of the grip nestled against his inner right forearm. He also wanted to boost stability, feel and acoustics with the putter.
With that in mind, Kuchar looked to Bettinardi, who has built his putters since the early 2000s.
Matt Kuchar and @BettinardiGolf have been working on a prototype putter he’ll debut at Colonial. Aluminum core places more mass towards the perimeter to mitigate face rotation. pic.twitter.com/cz9PtOmGix
— Jonathan Wall (@jonathanrwall) May 22, 2024
COMPETITION ROUND-UP
PGA Tour
Stewart Cink, Vince Whaley and Chesson Hadley played the weekend North of the border at the RBC Canadian Open. Cink tied for 27th place with a 2-under-par score of 275, while Whaley tied for 33rd at 276 (-4) and Hadley tied for 51st at 279 (-1).
Matt Kuchar missed the cut in Canada, but is the only Yellow Jacket with a spot in the field for this week’s signature event, the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio.
There are no former Jackets currently within the top 125 on the FedEx Cup points list.
Cink-ing it from WAY downtown! 💥@StewartCink is T6 after a 52-foot birdie putt @RBCCanadianOpen. pic.twitter.com/C9rIfxekK4
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 30, 2024
*****
Korn Ferry Tour
Richy Werenski and Seth Reeves delivered solid performances last weekend at the UNC Health Championship in Raleigh, N.C. Werenski, playing events on both the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour in2024, tied for 29th place at even-par 280, while Reeves tied for 48th place at 282 (+2).
Ross Steelman, who remains Tech’s highest-ranked player on the tour at No. 31, missed the cut as did Paul Haley II, Connor Howe and Chris Petefish.
All but Steelman are in the field for this week’s BMW Charity Pro-Am in Greer, S.C.
*****
PGA Tour Champions
David Duval turned in the highest finish of his PGA Tour Champions career last weekend, tying for third place at the Principal Charity Classic in Des Moines, Iowa. At one point tied for the lead in the final round Sunday, the 13-time PGA Tour winner posted a 17-under-par score of 199, four strokes behind winner Ernie Els.
PGA Tour Champions leaderboard
What a week for @David59Duval!
His T3 in Iowa is the best finish of his PGA TOUR Champions career 💪 pic.twitter.com/Sx3fjZZJJ5
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) June 3, 2024
*****
PGA Tour Americas
Several Yellow Jackets took part in various qualifying tournaments to gain eligibility for the second half of the 2024 tour, all of which will take place in Canada.
GPro Tour member Ben Smith and Andy Mao, who competed as an amateur after concluding his eligibility at Tech in May, both failed to qualify in Dothan, Ala., while GPro Tour member Will Dickson came up short in Ocala, Fla. Luke Schniederjans, who closed the Latin America swing with two top-25 finishes in his last three events, was unable to qualify in Litchfield Park, Ariz.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: The Memorial Tournament • June 6-9, 2024 • Muirfield Village Golf Club • Dublin, Ohio • Purse: $20M • FedEx Cup points: 700
- Korn Ferry Tour: BMW Charity Pro-Am • June 6-9, 2024 • Thornblade Club • Greer, S.C. • Purse: $1M • KFT points: 500
- PGA Tour Champions: American Family Insurance Championship • June 7-9, 2024 • University Ridge Golf Club • Madison, Wis. • Purse: $2.4M
- PGA Tour Americas: The Beachlands Victoria Open • June 20-23, 2024 • Uplands Golf Club • Victoria, British Colombia • Purse: $225K • Fortinet Cup points: 500
- Asian Tour/International Series: Kolon Korea Open Golf • June 20-23, 2024 • Woo Jeong Hills Country Club • Korea • Purse: $1.4M KSW
- LIV Golf Series: Houston • June 7-9, 2024 • Golf Club of Houston • Houston, Texas • Purse: $25M
- GPro Tour: Colonial Classic • June 11-13, 2024 • Colonial Country Club • Thomasville, N.C. • Purse: $68,125
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
“This is what I used to do.”@David59Duval reflects on his T3 last week and shares what a win would mean to him @AmFamChamp. pic.twitter.com/fL4SCfL2Yn
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) June 5, 2024
51 years old and still grinding!
Looking to earn his 24th #USOpen start, Stewart Cink is one of 66 players competing for 7 spots at Cherry Hill Club in Canada.
Scores: https://t.co/KWQ4ZGLTHc pic.twitter.com/zwYW88N2Cm
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 3, 2024
The pride of South Africa 🇿🇦
Aldrich Potgieter and Christo Lamprecht take on golf’s longest day with a shot in play @usopengolf. pic.twitter.com/9vhd8CyOPf
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) June 3, 2024
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: 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 ChampionsPGA 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 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 ChampionsPGA Tour Champions
SAS Championship
WDSchwab 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 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 TourPGA 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 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 TourDid not play 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 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 TourDid not play FedEx 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 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 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 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 toursDid not play 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 TourPGA 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