THE FLATS – Andy Ogletree close to making his return to LIV Golf reality … All four Yellow Jackets on the PGA Tour Canada qualify for season-ending Fortinet Cup Championship … Stewart Cink bringing analytical approach to USA Ryder Cup team … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
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“EARN MY WAY BACK”: OGLETREE’S LIV GOAL NEARLY A REALITY
LIV Golf has been somewhat of a trailblazer golf league ever since its start. Its inaugural event in London back in 2022 was truly one of a kind. One name that popped up that year was of a US Amateur Champion who played in London that year in the hopes of kickstarting his professional career in the glorious league.
The golfer’s professional life took an uncertain turn after his London debut, but it turns out, he is finding his way back to the mainstream golf, and that too after displaying some exceptional golfing skills. The young golfer has found his ray of hope amid the uncertainties that are rolling over the league after the $3 billion merger.
In 2022, Andy Ogletree competed in the LIV Golf inaugural event in London, and at that point, he was not affiliated with any tour. But after his appearance in London, the PGA Tour shut him off, and he also failed to earn the LIV Golf membership.
After the setback, he made his way to the Asian Tour, particularly for the ‘International Series,’ a series of $2 million events funded by the Saudi-backed league. The 25-year-old golfer has been performing exceptionally well on the Asian Tour and is very close to living his LIV Golf dream and locking in his place for the upcoming season.
Andy Ogletree on earning his way back onto LIV for the 2024 season via the Asian Tour:
“I can’t wait, you know, getting a taste of it early on in the first tournament, I kind of thought going into LIV London that it wouldn’t be my only event last year and I would play at least… pic.twitter.com/7py9ORs4fa
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) August 30, 2023
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FOUR YELLOW JACKETS QUALIFY FOR FORTINET CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
All four Yellow Jackets competing on PGA Tour Canada have qualified for the Fortinet Cup Championship being contested this weekend in Calgary, Alberta. The top 60 players in the Fortinet Cup points standings qualify for the season-ending event.
Luke Schniederjans stands No. 14 in the standings, while Connor Howe is No. 17, despite both missing the cut last weekend at the Manitoba Open. J.T. Griffin, who sat at No. 75 entering last weekend’s tournament, tied for 13th place at Manitoba, boosting his standing to No. 55 and ensuring qualification. Tyler Strafaci missed the cut last weekend but is in at No. 57.
The winner of the Fortinet Cup will receive a $25,000 bonus and full status on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour. The second- through fifth-place finishers earn conditional Korn Ferry status and all five will be exempt into the final stage of the 2023 PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry.
Howe is exempt through the first stage of Q-School by virtue of his No. 18 finish in the PGA Tour University standings at the close of his senior season at Georgia Tech.
18 more holes to decide who gets into next week’s Fortinet Cup Championship (Top 60 Players) pic.twitter.com/QUht9kGJcY
— PGA TOUR Canada – Fortinet Cup (@PGATOURCanada) September 3, 2023
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CINK BRINGS ANALYTICAL APPROACH TO USA TEAM
Mark your calendars for the Ryder Cup 2023, scheduled to unfold from 29th September to 1st October 2023. This highly anticipated event will be hosted in Italy, a picturesque backdrop for one of the most thrilling golf showdowns in the world. The Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, situated near Rome, promises to offer not only a challenging golf course but also a mesmerizing setting for players and spectators alike.
Stewart Cink’s analytical thinking and dedication to the sport make him an asset to the leadership team. His strategic input could contribute to Team USA’s winning strategy.
Our very own Betsy Dixon had a blast from the past with high school friend @StewartCink on Tuesday at @PGA Frisco for the @RyderCupUSA Captain’s Picks announcement!
Catch the U.S. Vice Captain on @DFWTicket at 4:15pm to hear his thoughts on @ZachJohnsonPGA’s selections and next… pic.twitter.com/Z6GrAyvEjA
— Tony Fay PR (@TonyFayPR) August 31, 2023
