THE FLATS – Andy Ogletree makes the cut at The Open Championship, grateful for the opportunity … Vince Whaley earns runner-up finish at the Barracuda Championship … Richy Werenski posted third straight top-20 finish on the Korn Ferry Tour … More details below in this week’s Georgia Tech #ProJackets Report.
OGLETREE GRATEFUL FOR OPPORTUNITY GAINED ON ASIAN TOUR
His Open Championship debut may not have ended in the blaze of glory he had wished for, but Andy Ogletree will not soon forget the experience.
Feeling the effects of a niggling wrist injury that may require surgery, the former Tech All-American signed off at Royal Troon with a birdie-less six-over-par 77.
Following a second-round 72 to make the cut, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion’s designs on a weekend charge in the 152nd edition of the world’s eldest championship were blown off course at the windswept Ayrshire links.
However, the opportunity to feel the heat of a Major championship alongside the world’s best players that came courtesy of his Asian Tour exploits in 2023 was not lost on the three-time International Series winner.
He said: “The Asian Tour is what allowed me to play in tournaments like this, and also the PGA Championship earlier this year.
“To have access to Major championships was awesome for me and I’m forever grateful for what the Asian Tour has done for me – for helping me being able to build my game and have somewhere to play.
“I think you’re going to see a lot more guys taking that pathway as it offers access to Major championships and LIV Golf. The Asian Tour is a great Tour to play on. I’m definitely encouraging all my buddies to go there to play.”
His Open Championship debut may not have ended in the blaze of glory he had wished for, but @andy_ogletree will not forget the experience in a hurry. ⛳@TheOpen #TheOpen
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) July 21, 2024
Despite failing to make a weekend charge after making the cut on his @TheOpen debut, @andy_ogletree still relishes the opportunity to tee up alongside the world’s best players in a Major championship that came courtesy of his Asian Tour exploits in 2023. ⛳#TheOpen #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/xA2HaW3uMS
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) July 21, 2024
HOW SOME OPEN CHAMPS HAVE CELEBRATED WITH THE CLARET JUG
It stands 21 inches tall, is about 5½ inches around and weighs 5½ pounds.
It’s the Claret Jug – officially the “Golf Champion Trophy” – is one of the most coveted trophies in all of sports. It is awarded annually to the Champion Golfer of the Year, also known as the winner of the British Open (or, Open Championship, if you prefer).
The jug was first awarded in 1873 and over the years, names get etched into it, preserving the achievement for all time.
What golfers do with the jug for the 365 days they get to hold onto it is, well, up the imaginations of those champions. The most time-honored tradition is to drink from it.
Stewart Cink – “We had a group of friends over to our lake house for dinner [to celebrate his 2009 Open Championship victory]. We’d always cook barbecue anytime we got together. That night, we used the Claret Jug to pour the BBQ sauce at the table. We were getting into the wine pretty good.”
Reliving a piece of history 🏆
Looking back at @StewartCink‘s dramatic major victory over 59-year old Tom Watson @TheOpen in 2009. pic.twitter.com/gtEG0A5RNM
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 21, 2024
