Top photo by Raj Mehta/Getty Images
THE FLATS – Everything you want to know about Vince Whaley, who posted two straight top-10 finishes to close out the PGA Tour fall season … Competition round-up … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
——————————–
WHO IS VINCE WHALEY? EVERYTHING TO KNOW ABOUT THE 29-YEAR-OLD PGA TOUR STAR
With an Official World Golf Ranking of 115, Vince Whaley has made many headlines with his name for his stunning birdies. The American golfer has had an intriguing relationship with golf since his childhood. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in the United States, back on March 14, 1995. His introduction to clubs, balls, and greens came naturally, as his instructor was his father, Bill Whaley. But his favorite golf memory is with his grandpa instead. Vince Whaley shared how at 7, his grandpa caddied for him at a Starburst Junior Golf tournament.
The 29-year-old was passionate about the sport since childhood, but his passion grew when Vince Whaley joined Georgia Tech. During his time at Georgia Tech, Whaley says, “I really wasn’t that great of a player. I just hitched my wagon to Ollie Schniederjans because he was No. 1 (amateur) in the world at the time.”
View this post on Instagram
COMPETITION ROUND-UP
PGA TOUR
Georgia Tech alum Vince Whaley finished out the PGA Tour fall season with his second straight top-10 finish, tying for eighth place at the RSM Classic. Whaley earned himself a share of the 54-hole lead with a 63 on Saturday, but finished three shots back of champion Maverick McNealy after carding a 71 Sunday.
Whaley finished the fall at No. 103 on the FedEx Cup points list, keeping full status on the PGA Tour for 2025. He had finished T5 at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship the week before, jumping 10 spots from No. 123 to No. 113.
Stewart Cink tied for 17th place at 10-under-par, and Christo Lamprecht made his second straight cut to close out the fall.
Only Whaley (No. 103) and Matt Kuchar (No. 109) finished inside the top 125 necessary to retain full PGA Tour status for 2025.
Players who finished Nos. 126-150 earned conditional status for 2025, unless otherwise exempt, and are eligible for Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry in December. Chesson Hadley, at No. 150, is inside that group.
Vince Whaley, Maverick McNealy share lead at RSM Classic #PGA
https://t.co/vptk5QYIBn— FieldLevelMedia (@FieldLevelMedia) November 23, 2024
Maverick McNealy, Vince Whaley share the lead heading into the final round at RSM Classic; Wellesley’s Michael Thorbjornsen 2 shots backs https://t.co/9WlZwzAyGh
— Boston Globe Sports (@BGlobeSports) November 24, 2024
Stewart Cink pitches it in for birdie on 16 at the Seaside Course. 👏
📺 Golf Channel | @TheRSMClassic pic.twitter.com/JusbezsATC
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) November 22, 2024
There’s no offseason for Stewart Cink.
The 51-year-old is currently T11 @TheRSMClassic 💪 pic.twitter.com/xNEkZ1ludy
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) November 21, 2024
*****
PGA TOUR QUALIFYING SCHOOL CONTINUES
The second stage of PGA Tour Qualifying School got underway this week with one event in Savannah, Ga., where Ollie Schniederjans missed advancing by one stroke. He tied for 21st with an 11-under-par total of 277, while the top 20 finishers advanced to the final stage.
Other Yellow Jackets set to compete in second-stage events next week (Dec. 3-6) are Paul Haley II and Connor Howe in Dothan, Ala., as well as Anders Albertson and Luke Schniederjans in Valdosta, Ga.
Players who finish outside the top 125 in the FedExCup Fall standings can earn or improve their status for 2025 through Final Stage of PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry, with the top five players (and ties) earning PGA TOUR cards for 2025.
Exempt categories for Final Stage include the top 40 available players below No. 125 in the FedExCup Fall standings and non-members whose FedExCup points are greater than or equal to No. 150 in the FedExCup Fall standings. Players in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking published on Monday, November 18 are also exempt for Final Stage.
Final stage of Q-School will be contested Dec. 12-15 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., at Dye’s Valley Course at TPC Sawgrass and Sawgrass Country Club. The top five finishers (and ties) will earn TOUR cards, giving players without status an opportunity to earn or re-gain TOUR membership and players in the 126-150 category or below a chance to improve their status.
Ollie Schniederjans, Spencer Levin, Patrick Flavin, Cooper Dossey, Brandon Hagy, John VanDerLaan.
Every year at second stage I’m amazed at the talent that misses. All of these guys are so talented, but its another year of with conditional or no status. https://t.co/C6WN0s84xI— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) November 23, 2024
UPCOMING EVENTS
- PGA Tour: Hero World Challenge • December 5-8, 2024 • Albany Golf Club • Albany, Bahamas • Purse: $5M • FedEx Cup points: n/a
- Korn Ferry Tour: The Bahamas Great Exuma Championship • January 14-17, 2025, 2024 • Sandals Emerald Bay Golf Club • Great Exuma, Bahamas • Purse: $1M • KFT points: 500
- PGA Tour Champions: PNC Championship • December 20-22, 2024 • Ritz-Carlton Golf Club • Orlando, Fla. • Purse: $1.1M
- PGA Tour Americas: season concluded
- Asian Tour/International Series: Link Hong Kong Open • November 21-24, 2024 • Hong Kong Golf Club • Hong Kong, China • Purse: $2M
- LIV Golf Series: Riyadh • February 6-8, 2025 • Purse: $25M
- GPro Tour: Augusta Open • December 3-5, 2024 • Belle Meade Country Club • Thomson, Ga. • Purse: $68,125
#PROJACKETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Today the world learns about @Vincewhaley 🐐 #StrengthAndHonor @mish43 @Bpete99 @lohaver22 pic.twitter.com/TTSVY8V7u4
— Max Lancaster (@LancasterMax) November 24, 2024
12 cameras, 800 frames per second, 40,000 data points. 🧠🔬
Here’s a look at Christo Lamprecht cruising at 190+ MPH ball speed in FOCAL, our motion capture lab at @PingTour HQ. #G430 | #PlayYourBest pic.twitter.com/TEtRgXfI2l
— PING Golf Europe (@PINGTourEurope) November 12, 2024
Great to have Ollie Schniederjans in at TPI again.
A privilege of our position is observing the diligence and commitment of high-achieving golfers like Ollie. No stone unturned or detail overlooked.
Hard work is a prerequisite for all professional golfers, but it’s our job to… pic.twitter.com/jEcq88QWs0
— TPI (@MyTPI) October 21, 2024
Not sure what you guys did today, but I played golf at The Keep @The_McLemore with this super nice guy named Marcus Allen. @MarcusAllenHOF He has a cashmere touch around the greens. I don’t think
I could beat him in a foot race. pic.twitter.com/5uKa1yKLop— Charlie Rymer (@CharlieRymerPGA) November 20, 2024
How do you create a new team golf format? CapTech’s @cicioCASTRO discusses the blueprint in the latest behind-the-scenes episode of @TGL‘s Tech Driven Series. Check out a new episode every Tuesday: https://t.co/3jHv4YOO2v pic.twitter.com/iPAp0QrEmI
— CapTech (@CapTech_Tweets) November 13, 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: 239
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 ChampionsDid not play Schwab Cup points ranking: 9
YTD Earnings (Champions): $1,258,156
Career earnings (Champions): $1,726,795
FedEx Cup points ranking: 173
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $378,476
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: 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 ChampionsDid not play Schwab Cup Points ranking: 61
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 TourDid not play FedEx Cup points ranking: 143
YTD earnings: $628,066
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 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: 109
YTD earnings: $1,469,667
Career earnings (PGAT): $60,228,357 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 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 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 TourDid not play FedEx Cup points ranking: 103
YTD earnings (PGA Tour): $1,474,033
Career earnings (PGA Tour): $4,119,842
KFT points ranking: 107
YTD earnings (KFT): $206,369
Career earnings (KFT): $350,642