Nissan #ProJackets Golf Report

April 5, 2016

THE FLATS – Former Georgia Tech stars Matt Kuchar and Larry Mize are in the field for the first major championship of 2016, The Masters Tournament, this weekend at Augusta National Golf Club.

Kuchar, 66th on the FedEx Cup points list this season, took last weekend off to prepare for The Masters, where the 37-year-old is making his 10th appearance, including each of the past six years. The 2000 Tech graduate has won more than $1 million in prize money, made the cut eight of nine times and achieved a high finish of a tie for third in 2012. Kuchar tied for 46th last year after finishing in the top 10 three straight years.

Watch Kuchar play the 13th hole in last year’s final round

He joins Tech alumnus Larry Mize in the field. The 1987 champion, Mize is playing in The Masters for the 32nd time, having participated every year since 1984. He has made 18 cuts and played 100 rounds at Augusta National Golf Club. Mize tied for 11th in his first try in 1984, and tied for 16th in 1986 before breaking through for victory in 1987. His best finish since then was third in 1994, and made the cut as recently as 2014.

Watch Mize birdie the par-3 12th hole in last year’s final round

Of course, legendary Tech alumnus and amateur golfer Bobby Jones was the co-founder of Augusta National Golf Club and The Masters along with Clifford Roberts. The Augusta Chronicle published a story this week about how Jones and Roberts shut down Augusta National for four years during World War II while Jones served a commission in the Army Air Forces, and participated in the Allied invasion of Normandy.

Georgia Tech alumni went 5-for-5 in cuts made last weekend at the Shell Houston Open. Roberto Castro grabbed the first-round lead with a 65 and stayed in contention until Sunday, when he shot a 76 and settled into a tie for 27th. Stewart Cink tied for 33rd (284, -4), Chesson Hadley tied for 38th (285, -3), Bryce Molder tied for 46th (286, -2) and Cameron Tringale tied for 57th (288, E).

All made modest gains in the FedEx Cup points standings except Tringale, who is Tech’s second-highest alumni on the list behind Kuchar at No. 76.

Anders Albertson challenged for his first Web.com Tour title last weekend, firing a 62 in the second round and following that with a pair of 66s to finish solo third at the Brasil Champions in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The 2015 Tech graduate, a rookie on the tour this year, finished 72 holes at 20-under-par 264. Now 13th on the tour money list, his performance got him featured this week on the PGATour.com.

He led two other Yellow Jackets making the cut – Ollie Schniederjans shot a second-round 65 and finished with a 67 to tie for 35th place at 273 (-11), while Kyle Scott tied for 44th at 275 (-9).

Believe in yourself, appreciate your stroke and maybe you can shoot 62 like @andersalbertson. 🇧🇷⛳️🤔 pic.twitter.com/koOGEhfksZ

— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) April 1, 2016

Four former Tech golfers cashed checks on the SwingThought.com Tour stop in Amelia Island, Fla., last weekend, led by Seth Reeves, who tied for 12th place while keeping sharp in preparation for the 2016 MacKenzie Tour (formerly PGA Tour Canada) season. Bo Andrews, James White and John-Tyler Griffin also made the cut.

White is No. 2 on that tour’s earnings list and won the Kinderlou Forest stop in early March.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PGA Tour: The Masters Tournament • April 7-10, 2016 • August National Golf Club • Augusta, Ga. • Purse: $10,000,000 • Winning Share: unavailable • FedExCup Points: 600
Web.com Tour: Servientrega Championship • April 7-10, 2016 • TPC Cartegena • Cartegena, Colombia • Purse: $700,000 • Winning share: $126,000
PGA Tour Champions: Mitsubishi Electric Classic • April 15-17, 2016 • TPC Sugarloaf • Duluth, Ga. • Purse: $1,800,000 • Winning Share: $270,000
MacKenzie Tour: Q-School • April 26-29, May 3-6, 2016 • various sites • various sites • Purse: n/a• Winning Share: n/a
SwingThought.com Tour: National Pro Series • March 28-April 1, 2016 • Amelia National Golf Club • Fernandina Beach, Fla.