Top photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images | Front page image by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images
THE FLATS – Stewart Cink wins a PGA Tour Champions event in just his 10th start, triumphing by four strokes at The Ally Challenge … Seth Reeves makes a big move on the Korn Ferry Tour with a tie for fourth finish … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
CINK RUNS AWAY TO FOUR-SHOT VICTORY AT ALLY CHALLENGE
Stewart Cink was a champion Sunday night on PGA TOUR Champions, rolling to a relatively easy triumph at The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan. Perhaps the only surprising aspect of Cink’s accomplishment is that it took him until his 10th start among the over-50 circuit to get across the line.
An eight-time winner on the PGA TOUR as well as a major champion (2009 Open), Cink began Sunday with a three-shot lead at Ally and only grew stronger as a perfect late-summer afternoon unfolded in Michigan. He made six birdies and no bogeys in shooting his second consecutive 6-under 66, a round that carried the 51-year-old to a four-shot victory over K.J. Choi. Cink sealed his bogey-free weekend by getting up-and-down from 62 yards for par at 18, winning with style points.
Cink’s 54-hole total of 17-under 199 tied the tournament scoring mark set by Joe Durant in 2021. Cink earned $330,000 for his victory, moved to 19th in the Charles Schwab Cup standings (in only six starts), and afterward said that fans of PGA TOUR Champions can expect to see a lot more of him this fall.
“It feels like it’s a new hurdle to get over,” Cink said. “It’s a new chapter in my competitive life, and I would probably tell you that I thought I might have won before now. This is about my 10th event, and I hadn’t gotten one yet. So it feels good to get No. 1.”
Cink, who spent most of his summer competing on the PGA TOUR, has had his openings on PGA TOUR Champions. In five previous starts this season, he had finished outside of the top 10 only once.
Cink won in his 10th career start on the 50-and-over tour. He became the 22nd player to win on each of the PGA Tour’s three tours — the PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions and Korn Ferry Tour.
His first PGA TOUR Champions victory!@StewartCink has won the @AllyChallenge 🏆 pic.twitter.com/p1C36NZ2dG
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 25, 2024
He’s just getting started 🏆@StewartCink | @AllyChallenge pic.twitter.com/Ru0HsKNdUn
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 25, 2024
Earlier this year, @StewartCink lost a 4-shot lead @CologuardGolf.
Coming down the stretch today, Cink admitted the loss entered his mind.
After staying strong mentally, the 51-year-old claimed his first win 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qVJdT2TFvx
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 25, 2024
COMPETITION ROUND-UP
Korn Ferry Tour
Five Yellow Jackets competed in the first event in the Korn Ferry Tour playoffs, which began last weekend with the Albertsons Boise Open in Boise, Idaho. Though only three made the cut, all five move on to play in the second event, the Simmons bank Open which takes place in two weeks in Franklin, Tenn. The
Seth Reeves (No. 37), Ross Steelman (No. 45) and Richy Werenski (No. 54), each of whom made the cut last weekend, are all in position to make it all the way through to the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, but neither of them are within the top 30, which will be awarded PGA Tour cards for 2025. Ollie Schniederjans (No. 101) and Christo Lamprecht (No. 138) both missed the cut in Boise.
Reeves tied for fourth place in Boise, his second-highest finish of the 2024 season, with an 18-under-par score of 266, while Steelman tied for 19th and Werenski tied for 37th.
The top 144 after the Albertsons Boise Open will qualify for the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation, and the top 120 after the Simmons Bank Open will qualify for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. The top 75 after the Nationwide Children’s will qualify for the Korn Ferry Tour Championship presented by United Leasing & Finance, after which the top 30 will earn 2025 PGA TOUR cards.
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*****
PGA Tour Champions
Stewart Cink won his first event on the PGA Tour Champions last weekend with a four-stroke victory The Ally Challenge in Grand Blanc, Mich., while David Duval turned in a tie for fifth place for his second top-10 performance of the 2024 season.
It was Cink’s 12th win as a professional golfer, joining eight victories on the PGA Tour, including the 2009 Open Championship, and three on the Korn Ferry Tour. Cink has played six events on the Champions circuit this season, posting five finishes in the top 10 and banking $744,306. At The Ally Challenge, he shot rounds of 67-66-66 for a 17-under-par total of 199 and jumps to No. 19 on the Schwab Cup points list.
Duval, meanwhile, closed with a 65 for a 9-under-par score of 207 and his second top-10 finish in 15 Champions Tour starts this year. He sits No. 47 on the Schwab Cup points list.
Both players are in good position to compete in the first of the three Schwab Cup playoff event in October.
PGA Tour Champions leaderboard
“The first of many.”@StewartCink‘s winning moment @AllyChallenge 🏆 pic.twitter.com/MEccpcXAnS
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 25, 2024
What’s better, the shot or the reaction?@StewartCink leads by 3 heading into the final stretch @AllyChallenge. pic.twitter.com/DwobS9bEor
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 25, 2024
*****
PGA Tour Americas
No former Yellow Jackets have played on the PGA Tour Americas since the tour completed the 2024 portion of the schedule in South and Central America, but Connor Howe will be in the field for the penultimate event on the Canadian schedule this weekend at the CRMC Championship in Brainerd, Minn.
Howe has played on the Korn Ferry Tour this year, making six cuts in 14 events with a high finish of T-17 at the Wichita Open in in mid-June, after performing well on PGA Tour Canada last summer. Howe finished the Korn Ferry Tour regular season No. 159 in points, just missing the first playoff event, but is exempt into the second stage of the PGA Tour qualifying school in November.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: Tour Championship • August 29-September 1, 2024 • East Lake Golf Club • Atlanta, Ga. • Purse: $20M • FedEx Cup points: 2,000
- Korn Ferry Tour: Simmons Bank Open • September 12-15, 2024 • Vanderbilt Legends Club • Franklin, Tenn. • Purse: $1.5M • KFT points: 600
- PGA Tour Champions: Ascension Charity Classic • September 6-8, 2024 • Norwood Hills Country Club • St. Louis, Mo. • Purse: $2.1M
- PGA Tour Americas: CRMC Championship • August 29-September 1, 2024 • Cragens Legqacy Course • Brainerd, Minn. • Purse: $225K • Fortinet Cup points: 500
- Asian Tour/International Series: Black Mountain Championship • October 17-20, 2024 • Black Mountain Golf Club • Thailand • Purse: $2M
- LIV Golf Series: Chicago • September 13-15, 2024 • Bolingbrook Golf Club • Bolingbrook, Ill. • Purse: $25M
- GPro Tour: Columbia Open • August 27-29, 2024 • Columbia Country Club • Blythewood, S.C. • Purse: $68,125
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Oh how sweet it is 😜
@StewartCink led the crowd in “Sweet Caroline” after his win @AllyChallenge. pic.twitter.com/9t7bgWw4H6— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 25, 2024
How does that not go in 😳
Seth Reeves is now just two back from the lead @BoiseOpen. pic.twitter.com/dLDmbpIKNB
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) August 25, 2024
David Duval came to play 🔥
He’s T7 after a hot start @AllyChallenge! pic.twitter.com/zcwB4IyYaS
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) August 25, 2024
Great imagination.
Near perfection.
Skill level: 💯@andy_ogletree | #HyFlyersGC pic.twitter.com/kRZxPvjYB6— HyFlyers GC (@HyFlyers_GC) August 22, 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: 236
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
The Ally Challenge
WonSchwab Cup points ranking: 19
YTD Earnings (Champions): $144,315
Career earnings (Champions): $787,185
FedEx Cup points ranking: 171
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
The Ally Challenge
T-5Schwab Cup Points ranking: 47
YTD earnings (Champions): $251,181
Career earnings (Champions): $545,141
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: 136
YTD earnings: $515,103
Career earnings: $12,239,163 SHUN YAT HAK
Hometown: Hong Kong
Turned pro: 2013
Years at Georgia Tech: 2012-13
Status: PGA Tour ChinaDid not play Fortinet Cup points: n/a
YTD earnings: n/a
Career earnings: ¥251,305 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 CanadaDid not play 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: 103
YTD earnings: $1,028,556
Career earnings (PGAT): $59,787,247 CHRISTO LAMPRECHT
Hometown: George, South Africa
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2000-24
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Albertsons Boise Open
missed cutKFT points ranking: 138
YTD earnings: $32,300
Career earnings (KFT): $32,300 ANDY MAO
Hometown: Johns Creek, Ga.
Turned pro: 2024
Years at Georgia Tech: 2020-24
Status: developmental toursDid not play GPro points ranking: 95
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: 33
YTD earnings (LIV): $1,897,317
Order of Merit (Asian Tour): 52
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): $20,300
Career earnings (LIV): $2,724,375 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 TourKorn Ferry Tour
Albertsons Boise Open
T-4KFT points ranking: 37
YTD earnings (KFT): $154,619
Career earnings (PGAT): $649,622
Career earnings (KFT): $780,736 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: 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 TourKorn Ferry Tour
Albertsons Boise Open
missed cutKFT Points ranking: 101
YTD earnings: $70,649
Career earnings (KFT): $636,359
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: 36
YTD earnings: $4,490 ROSS STEELMAN
Hometown: Columbia, Mo.
Residence: Atlanta, Ga.
Turned pro: 2023
Years at Georgia Tech: 2021-23
Status: Korn Ferry TourKorn Ferry Tour
Albertsons Boise Open
T-19KFT points ranking: 45
YTD earnings (KFT): $145,141
Career earnings (KFT): $169,262 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: 26
YTD Earnings (LIV): $2,169,975
YTD earnings (Asian Tour): n/a
Career earnings (LIV): $8,550,825
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
Albertsons Boise Open
T-36FedEx Cup points ranking: n/a
KFT points ranking: 54
YTD earnings (KFT): $65,960
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $57,000
Career earnings (KFT): $560,426
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: 121
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $282,284
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $2,928,093
KFT points ranking: 107
YTD earnings (KFT): $206,369
Career earnings (KFT): $350,642