Nissan #ProJackets Golf Report

June 13, 2017

THE FLATS – Georgia Tech will be represented by a highly decorated trio of alumni this week at the 117th U.S. Open Championship, which begins Thursday at Erin Hills, in Erin, Wis.

Between them, Roberto Castro, Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar racked up 10 All-America honors and 13 tournament victories while wearing a Georgia Tech uniform. On the PGA Tour, the trio has combined for more than $81 million in career earnings, 13 tournament victories and 36 U.S. Open starts.

Cink’s best U.S. Open finish was a tie for third in 2001 in Tulsa, Okla., finishing one shot out of a playoff between Mark Brooks and Retief Goosen. Only Phil Mickelson (26), Ernie Els (24), Jim Furyk (22) have more career U.S. Open appearances than Cink’s 19. Kuchar’s best finish was a tie for sixth in 2010, but made a more memorable debut by tying for 14th in 1998 following his sophomore year at Georgia Tech, a year after winning the U.S. Amateur title.

Castro and Kuchar both earned exemptions into the field this week by advancing to last year’s Tour Championship. Cink qualified last week by shooting 10-under-par 134 at Columbus, Ohio.

Read more about the Tech trio’s U.S. Open history by clicking here and then clicking on their pictures.

Here are the tee times and pairings for the first two rounds (as of Monday):
Thursday (June 15), hole #1 / Friday (June 16), hole #10
2:20 p.m. / 8:35 a.m. – Steve Stricker, Madison, Wis.; Stewart Cink, Duluth, Ga.; Phil Mickelson, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
Thursday (June 15), hole #10 / Friday (June 16), hole #1
1:36 p.m. / 7:51 a.m. – Daniel Berger, Jupiter, Fla.; , Atlanta, Ga.; Bill Haas, Greenville, S.C.
Thursday (June 15), hole #10 / Friday (June 16), hole #1
8:24 a.m. / 2:09 p.m. – Matt Kuchar, Sea Island, Ga.; Francesco Molinari, Italy; Patrick Reed, Houston, Texas

Cink clearly enjoyed being in Memphis for last weekend’s FedEx St. Jude Classic, firing an opening 64 and owning a share of the lead at the turn on Sunday before he posted a bogey and a double-bogey at 10 and 11 and finished tied for 10th place. He logged his third top-10 finish of the year and jumped to No. 47 in FedEx Cup points. The Duluth, Ga., resident had just celebrated qualifying for his first U.S. Open on Monday, and in Memphis, had an opportunity to enjoy another of his passions – barbecue.

Castro and also made the cut last weekend while Kuchar took the week off.

In the final round of the 2017 FedEx St. Jude Classic, CBS Sports analyst Peter Kostis breaks down Stewart Cink’s tee shot at TPC Deere Run.

Following a third-round 69, Stewart Cink reflects on his play in the 2017 FedEx St. Jude Classic with Jane Crafter from PGA TOUR Radio.

Stewart Cink interview after Round 1 ofFedEx St. Jude Following an opening-round 66, Stewart Cink reflects on his play in the 2017 FedEx St. Jude Classic with Jane Crafter from PGA TOUR Radio.

Seriously I’m so grateful for for flying us up to the USOpen on this charter flight. What a tremendous perk–great tournament!

— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink)

Seriously I’m so grateful for for flying us up to the USOpen on this charter flight. What a tremendous perk–great tournament!

— Stewart Cink (@stewartcink)

Pretty cool to stand in the room where rock and roll music was first recorded. Worth a trip to Memphis to see Sun Studios & crush some BBQ.

— (@cicioCASTRO)

UPCOMING EVENTS

PGA Tour: U.S. Open • June 15-18, 2017 • Erin Hills • Erin, Wis. • Purse: $12,000,000 • FedExCup Points: 600
Web.com Tour: Air Capital Classic • June 15-18, 2017 • Crestview Country Club • Wichita, Kan. • Purse: $625,000
PGA Tour Champions: American Family Insurance Championship • June 23-25, 2017 • University Ridge Golf Club • Madison, Wis. • Purse: $2,000,000
MacKenzie Tour: GolfBC Championship • June 15-18, 2017 • Gallagher’s Canyon Golf and Country Club • Kelowna, B.C. • $175,000
PGA Tour China: schedule to be announced
Swing Thought Tour: Grey Stone Golf Club • June 27-30, 2017 • Dickson, Tenn.