Oct. 28, 2012
THE FLATS – Paul Haley and Nicholas Thompson will join Georgia Tech’s considerable roster of alumni golfers on the PGA Tour in 2013, having finished in the top 25 of the Web.com Tour’s money list at the conclusion of the tour’s season Sunday.
Haley, a 2012 graduate and Atlantic Coast Conference champion, earned full Web.com Tour status through qualifying school last fall and took full advantage, finishing 12th in earnings with $263,481 and winning the Chile Open early in the year.
“It feels really great and I’m really excited,” said Haley. “When you’re young that’s what you set out to do and to actually do it is pretty special and I’m really excited about it.”
Thompson, a 2006 Tech graduate who earned All-America honors four times in his career, has spent the last two years on the Web.com Tour. He will return to the PGA Tour after finishing 22nd on this year’s money list with $192,751, and has more than $3.3 million in career PGA Tour earnings.
“It feels real good because it was a full year culminating to what you were looking for,” said Thompson. “I may be not as high on the money list as I would like but it gives me a shot for next year.”
“I’m very excited for Paul and Nick,” said Tech coach Bruce Heppler. “Nick has had a tremendous amount of success during his time on the Tour, and I’m sure he’ll be prepared to do the same now that he is back. It says a lot about Paul and his game that less than a year and a half removed from college he has a professional tour win and his PGA Tour card.
“This is a big time for them and their families who have provided the support for them to live their dreams. I couldn’t be happier for them.”
Their presence will bring Georgia Tech’s total of alumni active on the PGA Tour to nine for 2013, joining Roberto Castro, Stewart Cink, David Duval, Matt Kuchar, Troy Matteson, Bryce Molder and Cameron Tringale.
Tech alumni who have finished among the top 125 in 2012 earnings on the PGA Tour and will maintain their exempt status in 2013 are Matt Kuchar (11th, $3,903,065), Cameron Tringale (72nd, $1,215,397), Troy Matteson ($1,198,953), Bryce Molder (78th, $1,166,115), Roberto Castro (118th, $731,360).
Stewart Cink, who was 149th with $461,127 in earnings, remains fully exempt as a major champion and and because he ranks 11th in all-time earnings with more than $30.8 million. David Duval, the 2001 Open Champion and 13-time winner on the PGA Tour, also remains partially exempt.
PGA TOUR CAREER EARNINGS
11th – Stewart Cink, $30,820,949
35th – Matt Kuchar, $20,799,219
42nd – David Duval, $18,846,173
