Duke Alums on the 2024 PGA and LPGA Tours

Alex working on the worst round of the day and last place. He could have locked up his card this weekend but he'll still have some work to do in the last 3 weeks of the season. I think he's at about 90%+ chance of keeping it, but this was certainly an opportunity lost.

He needs to take the next 2 weeks working on his putting. It's pretty bad and is costing him.

Edit: He's given up on the round. Two missed 3-footers in the last 2 holes.
 
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dudog84 said:
Most importantly, Kevin has now given himself a real shot at keeping his card. He moved up 39 spots and is 68 points behind #125. It's too bad Jaeger was in the field, he sucked up those 300 2nd-place points but can't use them. Kevin could have gotten about 80 more points (T2 vs. T3).

Though Alex dropped a spot, more importantly he padded his cushion on #126 to 60 points (it was about 40) This is great news, it's been a struggle and he was outside the cut most of the year.
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Kevin now 84 points behind #125, Alex 43 above #126.

As stated earlier, neither went to Japan but it won't matter much to either of them in the standings. Only 2 players outside the top-125 are in the field. Entire tour off the following week.

So for our guys, it comes down to 3 tournaments in Mexico, Bermuda, and in St. Simons Island from November 7th through the 24th. I'm sure our guys expect to play all 3, although Alex could skip the last 2 if he places well in Mexico. I think all it would take is a top-40 (about 15 points) in any of the events and a top-30 would be a lock, but if it's close he can't take any chances. He has played very well in Bermuda the past couple of years and pretty well at St. Simons Island (has not played the Mexico event), so I feel very good about his chances.

Note that Kevin is also 47 points above #151 so he needs to make a cut to preserve his conditional status. If we assume the #125 point total will move up 10-20 points per event, Kevin needs about 120 points for a chance, 140 points for some comfort. That means 3 top-20s, or 1 top-4. I only went back a few years but his results at these 3 tournaments are not that good, so I'm rootin' for him but expect him to have conditional status next year. Which is still pretty good at his age, his T3 nine days ago was a godsend. He's gonna turn 46 in a couple of weeks, so he's got a few years until the Champions Tour.
 
Re Alex's putting, I just looked it up and he's 159th on the Tour. Ugh. But 27th off the tee. Drive for show, putt for dough (though he has made a sweet $6M :)). Just imagine what he could do with a good putter.

In contrast, Max was 5th in putting. Wow.
 
dudog84 said:
Re Alex's putting, I just looked it up and he's 159th on the Tour. Ugh. But 27th off the tee. Drive for show, putt for dough (though he has made a sweet $6M :)). Just imagine what he could do with a good putter.
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This matches what I’ve observed- when his game is on he plays like a top 30 player but other times it’s closer to 300…
 
dudog84 said:
Kevin now 84 points behind #125, Alex 43 above #126.

As stated earlier, neither went to Japan but it won't matter much to either of them in the standings. Only 2 players outside the top-125 are in the field. Entire tour off the following week.

So for our guys, it comes down to 3 tournaments in Mexico, Bermuda, and in St. Simons Island from November 7th through the 24th. I'm sure our guys expect to play all 3, although Alex could skip the last 2 if he places well in Mexico. I think all it would take is a top-40 (about 15 points) in any of the events and a top-30 would be a lock, but if it's close he can't take any chances. He has played very well in Bermuda the past couple of years and pretty well at St. Simons Island (has not played the Mexico event), so I feel very good about his chances.

Note that Kevin is also 47 points above #151 so he needs to make a cut to preserve his conditional status. If we assume the #125 point total will move up 10-20 points per event, Kevin needs about 120 points for a chance, 140 points for some comfort. That means 3 top-20s, or 1 top-4. I only went back a few years but his results at these 3 tournaments are not that good, so I'm rootin' for him but expect him to have conditional status next year. Which is still pretty good at his age, his T3 nine days ago was a godsend. He's gonna turn 46 in a couple of weeks, so he's got a few years until the Champions Tour.
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Is the Champions Tour merit based or partly merit and partly celebrity? I'm asking because Kevin may not have that tour in his future based on merit, and certainly not based on stardom. Of course, if he never makes another dime he'll be rich for life.
 
4Gen said:
Is the Champions Tour merit based or partly merit and partly celebrity? I'm asking because Kevin may not have that tour in his future based on merit, and certainly not based on stardom. Of course, if he never makes another dime he'll be rich for life.
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I'm not sure, but he certainly qualifies on merit. He has 2 PGA Tour wins.
 
Too Late To Edit: I couldn't find the average PGA Tour career, but I imagine it's between 12 and 15 years. For every Tiger or Phil you have at least 1 golfer who has only achieved a card for a year or two. Kevin has been a full-time player since 2008.

Another thing, very few players are still going in their late 40s like Kevin. If you last played regularly on the Tour when you were 40 or 42, are you going to have any game at 50? Or name recognition (unless you're Tiger or Phil, etc.).

Bottom line, I think Kevin is a lock for the Champions Tour (and I don't believe you have to actually be a Champion [just checked, you don't]) if he wants to play. By all appearances, he does.
 
There are many PGA Champions Tour players with stats close to Kevin's who are very successful. The question may be whether he wants to play on that tour or not.

I am sure (two wins are a big positive, as mentioned by dudog84) Kevin would get his chance to excel there if he is interested.
 
killerleft said:
There are many PGA Champions Tour players with stats close to Kevin's who are very successful. The question may be whether he wants to play on that tour or not.

I am sure (two wins are a big positive, as mentioned by dudog84) Kevin would get his chance to excel there if he is interested.
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Yep, I think Kevin would be a multiple winner on the Champions, and if you read the article I posted a week or two ago I think you will agree he seems the type. I've never paid much attention to that tour, but take a look at this link (may have to click on "completed", link default is upcoming). They play 2 or 3 times a month, 54-hole tournaments (plus I imagine they don't play from the tips), and the winner gets over 300K. What's not to like?

PGA TOUR Champions - Tournament Schedule

PGA TOUR Champions
www.pgatour.com www.pgatour.com
 
arnie said:
He finishes T2 with Justin Thomas and one back. Looks like he parred the easy par 5 18th and winner birdied the 18th.

Max had a very good year.
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Yeah, a wayward drive on the easiest hole on the course cost him. He was in the lead with 4 holes to play. Disappointing, but yes he has had a very good rookie year.

No obvious damage done to Alex and Kevin. They remain at #119 and #139. The #125 spot moved from 352 points to 354, and #126 from 351 to 352. Three weeks left in the chase for the card.
 
Max started on the back 9 and is -2 thru five holes. Many of the players who quickly got to -3 started on the front 9, so i know curious how Max fares but so far so good…
 
AGDukesky said:
Max started on the back 9 and is -2 thru five holes. Many of the players who quickly got to -3 started on the front 9, so i know curious how Max fares but so far so good…
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Guess Max is playing to keep his game sharp in the "off-season". And maybe earn a little more walking around money.
 
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