Nissan #ProJackets Golf Report

July 11, 2017

THE FLATS – Chesson Hadley is going back to the PGA Tour. The former Georgia Tech All-American made sure of it last weekend by capturing the LECOM Health Challenge on the Web.com Tour in Findlay, N.Y.

The 2010 Tech graduate celebrated his 30th birthday by shooting 64-65 on the weekend to hold off Beau Hossler by one shot, completing 72 holes in 23-under-par 265 to win his third event on the Web.com Tour. The victory launched him from 22nd to fourth on the Web.com Tour earnings list, assuring his place in the final top 25 at the end of the season.

“I know 23-under is probably a record for me,” Hadley, who was four better than Rick Lamb’s total in 2016, told PGATour.com. “I know I shot 22-under when I won in Puerto Rico on TOUR, but 23-under is the best I’ve ever shot. I peaked at the right time. The key is to maintain it.”

“That was the goal this year,” said Hadley, who finished No. 159 in the FedExCup standings last season. “I know I had TOUR status, it’s not great TOUR status, but it’s still TOUR status, which is always a positive. I wanted to lock my card up and once I did that I was going to go chase some TOUR starts.”

Needing some late heroics to secure the title, Hadley chipped in for par at 16 and birdied the 17th hole to reach 23-under-par, which at the time was two ahead of Hossler. Looking back on his round after the trophy presentation, Hadley knew that his ability to overcome adversity was a major key to his victory.

“Sometimes this game rewards you for having a good attitude and I truly believe that,” said Hadley, when asked about the hole-out on 16. “I hit a great shot today. I’m long, I’m sitting on dirt when I should be sitting on grass. It was a really bad lie. I shrugged it off, accepted it and said, ‘Hey, this is where we are’ and obviously ran it down the hill. I believe I chipped in because I didn’t let that affect me.”

What a phenomenal birthday present! Thank you @LECOMHC for a great event. It will be a week I'll never forget. pic.twitter.com/hk6aMGnGN7

— Chesson Hadley (@chessonhadley) July 10, 2017

"This one might be the best of them all."@ChessonHadley's victory @LECOMHC was truly something special. ⛳ pic.twitter.com/nzA39JWQBD

— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) July 10, 2017

It's been an emotional journey for @ChessonHadley.

But after his @LECOMHC win, he's headed back to the TOUR. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/tweuDHyrzF

— Web.com Tour (@WebDotComTour) July 9, 2017

Hadley’s heroics overshadowed the excellent performance by Anders Albertson, who posted his second top-10 finish in three weeks with a tie for ninth place (14-under 274). The two-time Atlantic Coast Conference champion, who recently got engaged, jumped to 47th in earnings on the tour, with six events left in the regular season to climb into the top 25.

PGA Tour: Only Roberto Castro and Stewart Cink made the cut last weekend out of six former Yellow Jackets competing at The Greenbrier Classic in White Sulfur Springs, W.Va. Castro posted one of his better finishes in a difficult season for the Tech Hall of Famer, tying for 20th place at 6-under-par 274, which included a second-round 65 and 68-68 on the weekend. Cink tied for 58th at even-par 280.

Cink, who won the 2009 Open Championship, has already headed across the pond to play in the Scottish Open this week in Ayrshire, Scotland along with Matt Kuchar, and then will join Castro in next week’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England.

.@stewartcink brings Major appeal to Dundonald Links for Scottish Open. https://t.co/841rQx7GLf pic.twitter.com/RAc7RBaN6S

— Georgia Tech Golf (@GT_GOLF) July 10, 2017

Castro, who also has an exemption into the Open Championship, will make one more tuneup this week at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., joining Troy Matteson, who is making a rare Tour start, Bryce Molder, Ollie Schniederjans and Cameron Tringale. Hadley is in the field, making good on his post-championship promise to chase some TOUR starts.

Can't say enough good things about @GbrClassic Memorable week for families, incredibly supportive community, and world class course. 💯👏🏼👍🏼

— Roberto Castro (@cicioCASTRO) July 10, 2017

Mackenzie Tour: James White continues to enjoy a solid rookie season on the PGA Tour’s Canadian circuit, tying for 25th place (1-under 283) at the Players Cup in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The 2012 Tech graduate stands 20th in earnings on the Mackenzie Tour, and the top five at the end of the regular season (eight events remaining) earn status on the Web.com Tour.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PGA Tour: John Deere Classic • July 13-16, 2017 • TPC Deere Run • Silvis, Ill. • Purse: $5,600,000 • FedExCup Points: 500
Web.com Tour: Utah Championship • July 13-16, 2017 • Oakridge Country Club • Farmingto, Utah • Purse: $700,000
PGA Tour Champions: Constellation Senior Players Championship • July 13-16, 2017 • Caves Valley Golf Club • Owings Mills, Md. • Purse: $2,800,000
Mackenzie Tour: Staal Foundation Open • July 13-16, 2017 • Whitewater Golf Club • Thunder Bay, Ontario • $175,000
PGA Tour China: schedule to be announced
Swing Thought Tour: Grey Stone Golf Club • June 27-30, 2017 • Dickson, Tenn.