Nissan #ProJackets Golf Report

May 17, 2016

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech alumni enjoyed a big weekend with three top-20 finishes at The Players Championship and four players cashing checks in the Web.com Tour.

Matt Kuchar used a closing 68 Sunday to creep up to a tie for third place (10-under-par 278), five strokes off the winning pace of Jason Day, while Bryce Molder played a steady tournament (70-68-72-71) to tie for 12th place (7-under 281). Kuchar and Molder were paired together for Sunday’s final round. Cameron Tringale was near the lead through 36 holes after opening with scores of 65-69, but shot 75-73 on the weekend and settled for a tie for 16th.

All three made significant jumps in FedEx Cup standings – Kuchar to 34th, Molder to 60th and Tringale to 80th. Kuchar, who surpassed $1 million in earnings for 2016, has steadily climbed the ladder with three top-10 finishes in his last five starts. Molder also went over $1 million in earnings this season, and has finished T6, T42, T8 and T12 in his last four starts. Tringale posted his best finish since a tie for 14th in January at the CareerBuilder Challenge.

Following his third-round 72 at THE PLAYERS Championship 2016, Matt Kuchar talks about the strategy needed to adapt to the course changes compared to the first two days.

In the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2016, Bryce Molder drains a long-range putt from 38 feet on the par-4 1st hole.

In the final round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2016, Cameron Tringale drains a 34-footer putt for birdie on the par-5 11th hole.

As a result, both Kuchar and Molder are among those expected to contend this week at the AT&T Byron Nelson Championship, where Kuchar has earned a pair of top 10 finishes in eight trips to the TPC Four Seasons, and Molder tied for 22nd last year. They’ll tee it up with Chesson Hadley, who missed the cut at The Players.

Web.com Tour – Ollie Schniederjans earned his third top-10 finish in his last four starts, tying for sixth place at the Rex Hospital Open in Raleigh, N.C., with an 8-under-par score of 276. Since missing the cut in his first two Web.com tournaments, Schniederjans has gone T35, 2nd (lost in a playoff), T13, T7 and T6. He ranks ninth in earnings on the tour. Richard Werenski tied for 19th at 5-under 279, while Troy Matteson tied for 23rd at 4-under 280 after opening with a 67, and Kyle Scott tied for 49th at 287 (+3). Werenski is seventh in earnings this season, while Anders Albertson, who missed the cut, remains in the top 25 at 22nd.

U.S. Open qualifying – Several present, former and future Yellow Jackets have advanced through local qualifying for the 116th U.S. Open Championship, which will be contested June 16-19 at Oakmont Country Club near Pittsburgh, Pa. Most recent was James White, who survived a 10-man playoff for six spots advancing at Ansley Golf Club at Settindown Creek in Roswell, Ga., on Monday. He joined a list that includes alumni Bo Andrews (Butler, Pa.) and Matt Weibring (Amarillo, Texas), who qualified May 12, and current sophomore Jacob Joiner and incoming freshman Luke Schniederjans, who both advanced at Planterra Ridge in Peachtree City, Ga., on May 11.

Current Jackets James Clark and Vincent Whaley, as well as current MacKenzie Tour member Seth Reeves are alternates.

Complete U.S. Open local qualifying results

UPCOMING EVENTS

PGA Tour: AT&T Byron Nelson • May 19-22, 2016 • TPC Four Seasons Resort • Irving, Texas • Purse: $7,300,000 • Winning Share: $1,314,000 • FedExCup Points: 500
Web.com Tour: BMW Charity Pro-Am • May 19-22, 2016 • Thornblade Club • Greer, S.C. • Purse: $675,000 • Winning share: $121,500
PGA Tour Champions: Regions Tradition • May 19-22, 2016 • Greystone Golf & Country Club • Birmingham, Ala. • Purse: $2,300,000 • Winning Share: $345,000
MacKenzie Tour: Freedom 55 Financial Open • May 26-29, 2016 • Point Grey Golf & Golf Club • Vancouver, British Columbia • Purse: $175,000 • Winning Share: $31,500
SwingThought.com Tour: National Pro Series • June 9-12, 2016 • Cutter Creek Golf Club • Snow Hill, N.C.