Tag: Andy Ogletree

Phil Mickelson replaces one U.S. Amateur champion with another for 2024 LIV Golf season

Andy Ogletree won the 2019 U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst No. 2 and has been involved with LIV for the last two years.

Phil Mickelson has exchanged one former U.S. Amateur champion for another.

After James Piot was relegated from the LIV Golf League following the 2023 season, Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC have signed Andy Ogletree for 2024. The roster is now complete as Ogletree will join Mickelson, Cameron Tringale and Brendan Steele.

“Andy is one of the most impressive young players in the game who has earned his spot on LIV,” Mickelson said. “The work he has continued to put in and the resiliency he showed this past year in creating his own success was awesome to see. He makes the HyFlyers a contender next year and just as importantly, Andy fits in perfectly with everyone on the team.”

Ogletree, 25, earned a guaranteed spot on a LIV team for 2024 after he finished first in the Asian Tour’s season-long International Series, a 10-event portion of tour’s schedule. The 2019 U.S. Amateur champion played LIV’s inaugural event in London in 2022 and teed it up in three events in 2023 as a reserve, where he finished sixth in Washington, D.C. and 43rd in Orlando. He also replaced an injured Lee Westwood for the final round in Tulsa. His sixth-place showing in D.C. was good enough to see him finish 43rd in the season-long points standings, meaning in just two full starts he earned more points than seven players who made at least 10 of 14 starts last season.

That Open Zone finish (Nos. 25-44 in the season standings) allowed Ogletree to sign for any team with an open spot and avoid the yet-to-be-announced LIV Golf Draft, which will decide where the three players from LIV Golf Promotions will play.

“I started getting some phone calls and it was kind of like college recruiting all over again,” Ogletree said. “A few teams wanted to meet and I had conversations with some of the captains and it followed from there. Since LIV Golf owns the teams, the final contract had to be approved and all of this was navigated over the last few weeks.”

“I was in a fortunate situation being able to travel with LIV during the year. I was at every tournament as a reserve. I was seeing how every tournament works and the team dynamic and the support structure they put in place. I was able to ask a lot of questions and get opinions from different players,” he added. “And I liked the way Phil went about things and to get that knowledge from one of the greatest of all time is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

Three of the 12 teams – Cleeks GC, IronHeads GC and Ripper GC – in the league still have openings to fill. It has yet to be announced whether Jon Rahm will take over a new team or an already established side, like the Cleeks, who have two openings.

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5 months after surgery, former U.S. Amateur champ Andy Ogletree makes his move at Sanderson Farms

This was the tournament Ogletree had aimed to make his return to golf after months of rehab.

Andy Ogletree is doing just fine.

Five months after hip surgery, Ogletree charged up the leaderboard during the first round of the Sanderson Farms Championship on Thursday.

The Union High School graduate and Little Rock native shot 5-under-par 67 to open the PGA Tour tournament at Country Club of Jackson, putting him in a tie for fifth at the time his round ended.

“Regardless of the score, playing pain free that’s most important to me right now,” Ogletree said. “It’s kind of freed me up, I mean, I don’t really have any expectations. This is my first PGA Tour event in six months. Obviously, I’m pleased with the start, but I’m more happy to be pain-free and just to be playing golf.”

The Sanderson Farms Championship was the tournament Ogletree had aimed to make his return to golf after a few months of rehab. It was a homecoming of sorts for the 23-year-old, who left his home state for Georgia Tech after high school and went on to win the 2019 U.S. Amateur. After his media session, he was welcomed by two lines of supporters, whom he greeted.

RAMEY RETURNS: Former Mississippi State golfer Chad Ramey back at PGA Tour Sanderson Farms Championship

“I’m really happy to be playing in Mississippi,” Ogletree said. “A lot of familiar faces out here this week. A lot of friends and family are watching, so it’s a good time and I’m glad everyone gets to see me play.”

Ogletree said he plays better with spectators. His first nine PGA Tour events did not include crowds due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The feeling of playing near home was intensified by his pairing Thursday with fellow Mississippi native Chad Ramey, who shot 2-under 70. Kurt Kitayama, a Chico, California, native, also was in the group.

“Really comfortable pairing today obviously playing with Chad, he went to Mississippi State and I’ve kind of had a lot of connections with him,” Ogletree said. “I had some connections with Kurt as well. We had a good time and everyone’s playing well, so I think that kind of momentum piece off of each other and makes it a lot easier.”

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Ramey and Ogletree are two of five Mississippians participating this year, in addition to Cohen Trolio, Davis Riley and Hayden Buckley. Ramey, 29, is the oldest player among the locals, with the others 25 or younger.

“Everyone’s kind of making their way up on the PGA Tour now so it’s really cool to see all the young guys from Mississippi, it shows a lot,” Ogletree said.

Ogletree, who will tee off Friday at 1:28 p.m., gave credit to the Mississippi Junior Golf Association for the state’s success. The association began in 2000 and is highlighted by a Ryder Cup-style tournament against Louisiana’s top junior golfers. A junior amateur champion is crowned every season, according to its official website. Ramey was the junior amateur champion in 2009 and 2010, and Trolio, Buckley and Ogletree were all on Team Mississippi rosters against Louisiana.

“I think we all played that when we were super young,” he said. “I think people don’t realize how good the talent level is in Mississippi and it’s good to see everyone doing well.”

Contact Rashad Milligan at 601-862-6198 or Jmilligan@gannett.com. Follow @RashadMilligan on Twitter.

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Andy Ogletree’s grind for PGA Tour status begins as he makes first pro start at Mayakoba

Andy Ogletree had a big week at the Masters, playing his way to low-amateur honors. Now he’s making his first pro start at Mayakoba.

A letter neatly penned by a third-grade Andy Ogletree made the rounds on Twitter after Ogletree finished T-34 to wrap up low-amateur honors at the Masters last month. He played alongside Tiger Woods for the first two rounds, which got him plenty of air time.

On that piece of notebook paper, Ogletree wrote about his aspirations to become a professional golfer, and most notably that he wanted to play golf with Woods. As that dream came true at Augusta National, Ogletree’s poise and play indicated that the career choice will likely pan out just fine for him.

Ogletree’s former third-grade teacher unearthed that letter a few years ago. She passed it along to Ogletree’s mom Melissa, also an elementary school teacher back home in Little Rock, Mississippi. Now it’s framed in Ogletree’s room. He can’t remember actually writing it, but the goal to play professionally has always been in his brain.

After garnering so much attention next to Woods at Augusta – and making a Sunday trip to Butler cabin – Ogletree returned home to small-town Mississippi last week. He helped his dad Jim put on a local community Thanksgiving. Ogletree hopes to get back home for Christmas, when he can make the rounds, see everyone and celebrate recent milestones.

Like turning professional and making his first start as a pro at this week’s Mayakoba Golf Classic.

Ogletree, 22, made four other Tour starts this year before the Masters, including at the Charles Schwab Challenge, RBC Heritage, the Memorial and the U.S. Open. He missed the cut in all four. Before those doors opened for Ogletree, the 2019 U.S. Amateur champion, he hadn’t ever played a Tour event. It was a transition that felt similar to the one from junior golf to Georgia Tech.

“I’ve always been a really good ball-striker, I thought,” he said. “I got out here, like I hit it really well at Colonial, I played so bad. Then went to Hilton Head the next week and worked so hard on putting, trying to get my putting going that I hit it terrible.

“So it’s golf, man. There’s some stuff you can’t control, but I learned to just kind of trust the process, not worry about a bad putting week, bad ball-striking week, just keep doing your process and keep trusting the work that you’re putting in.”

Not much is guaranteed for a newbie pro like Ogletree, especially in the way of starts. He is playing Mayakoba on a sponsor exemption, and he’ll take any more of those that he can get. Week to week, Ogletree is chasing top 10s, which would get him into the next week’s event. Ogletree just hopes to play his way to the Korn Ferry Tour finals.

“To get your PGA Tour card or temporary membership right away would be the cherry on top, but at least enough points to get to Korn Ferry Finals, that gives you three events to get your PGA Tour card,” he said.

Ogletree benefits from coming out of the Georgia Tech pipeline, a route that has been well-traveled. He is rooming with Tour rookie Vincent Whaley in Alpharetta, Georgia, and benefiting from a bit of been-there-before advice. He also has relationships with Yellow Jackets Stewart Cink, Chesson Hadley, Roberto Castro, Ollie Schniederjans, Richy Werenski, Seth Reeves and Anders Albertson.

“I feel comfortable asking them any questions,” he said. “Stewart and Matt Kuchar are obviously two of the most well-known Georgia Tech guys and most accomplished probably, but all the other guys have had a lot of success, too. So I feel comfortable asking any of them for tidbits or advice that I might want to know about.”

The learning continues, and Ogletree seems to be a quick study.

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Andy Ogletree, low amateur at the 2020 Masters, will make his professional debut at the Mayakoba Gol

Days after turning professional, Andy Ogletree has accepted a sponsor’s exemption to play in the 2020 Mayakoba Golf Classic.

Days after turning professional, Andy Ogletree has accepted a sponsor’s exemption to play in the 2020 Mayakoba Golf Classic.

Days after Masters glory, Andy Ogletree and John Augenstein have plans to turn pro

The only two amateurs to play the weekend at the Masters have both announced that they will begin pro careers immediately.

Andy Ogletree and John Augenstein put on a memorable 35-hole battle in 2019 for the U.S. Amateur title at Pinehurst Resort. Weeks later, they teamed in foursomes at the Walker Cup for the victorious Americans. More than a year after that, they were the only two amateurs standing on the weekend at the Masters.

Now, they’re on their way to professional careers.

Ogletree, the 22-year-old who had a standout four-year career at Georgia Tech, earned low amateur honors at the Masters with his 2-under performance for four rounds. He announced on Nov. 19 that he would turn professional and pursue a PGA Tour career. Augenstein, the 23-year-old who came back for an extra semester at Vanderbilt this fall, announced a similar decision on Monday.

Augenstein returned to Vanderbilt this fall to take advantage of an extra season of eligibility after the COVID-19 pandemic shortened the 2019-20 season in March. He teed it up in two of three fall tournaments with the Commodores, and his college golf swan song turned out to be his runner-up finish at the Vanderbilt Legends Collegiate in October.

The Owensboro, Kentucky, native had secured his spot on the end-of-fall Haskins Award Watch List and was fourth in the PGA Tour University standings, a new ranking that helps collegians launch a pro career.

“First of all, I am very excited for John as he embarks on his new journey as a professional golfer,” Vanderbilt head coach Scott Limbaugh said in a school release. “John’s decision did not catch any of us by surprise. As he has been throughout his career, he was very transparent with all of us from the beginning that this could be a possibility. John is physically and mentally ready and prepared to start this new chapter in his life.”

Ogletree, of Little Rock, Mississippi, revealed his decision to turn professional on Nov. 19, an announcement that corresponded with him signing on with Rock Sports Group for management.

“My amateur golf career was an absolute blast and last week at the Masters is the perfect way for it to end,” Ogletree said. “I’ve had so much fun, met so many great people and have so many incredible memories, but it’s time for me to test my game at the next level, against the best of the best.”

“The game has taken me to so many special places already. I cannot wait to see where it will take me in the future.”

Ogletree played in three PGA Tour events this year and two majors – the U.S. Open in addition to the Masters. His best finish in those five pro starts came at the Masters, where he was 34th. Ogletree was ranked No. 4 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking when he turned professional.

Ogletree begins his professional career with five sponsors: Titleist, International Golf Logistics, Peter Millar, New South Ford in Meridian, MS, and Southern Pipe & Supply, also in Meridian.

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Andy Ogletree ends dream Masters with low amateur honors

Andy Ogletree wrapped up his first Masters as low amateur by beating out John Augenstein, the only other amateur to make the cut at Augusta.

Andy Ogletree ended his Masters Tournament just like he started: in a trio with Tiger Woods. Only this time, he was in Butler Cabin, not on the course, and being joined by champion Dustin Johnson.

Ogletree wrapped up his first Masters as low amateur with an even-par 72 on Sunday to finish at 2-under 286 to beat out John Augenstein, the only other amateur to make the cut, by five strokes.

“It was an awesome week. I got to experience everything the amateurs get to experience. I got here early. I came down a few times before the tournament. I stayed in the Crow’s Nest,” Ogletree said.

“So kind of everything you’d want to do as an amateur, I’ve kind of accomplished.”

Ogletree’s first Masters began when he was out on the practice green ahead of Thursday’s first round. Woods, his idol, walked up to him and said, “What’s up, man? Let’s go do this,” Ogletree recalled in his interview in Butler Cabin.

MASTERS: Leaderboard | Money | Winner’s bag | Photos

Playing alongside Woods, Ogletree said he let his nerves get to him early on. His tournament started 4 over through four holes. But he settled down and got back to playing his game, finishing his first round with a 73. He rebounded with rounds of 70-71 to make the cut.

On Sunday, Ogletree bogeyed his first two holes at 10 and 11. Despite the slow start, he recovered before finishing his first nine holes of the round, getting birdies on 15 and 16. He then birdied No. 2 and bogeyed No. 3 before shooting par the rest of the way.

Though it wasn’t a traditional April Masters, Ogletree said he got the full experience. Not just as an amateur, but as a competitor in the tournament. Following his Masters debut, Ogletree said he plans on turning pro “in the near future.”

“I’ve kind of done what I wanted to in amateur golf, and this just is the cherry on top for my amateur career, so I can’t wait to see what the future holds, but for now I’m just going to enjoy this moment,“ Ogletree said.

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Andy Ogletree is front-runner in Masters amateur race after three rounds

Through 54 holes, Andy Ogletree has the lead for the low amateur trophy in this year’s Masters Tournament.

Through 54 holes, Andy Ogletree has the lead for the low amateur trophy in this year’s Masters Tournament.

His 1-under-par 71 in Saturday’s third round puts him at 2-under 214 and two strokes ahead of John Augenstein, the other amateur to make the cut.

“Yeah, I got off to a good start. It’s a long day. I played eight holes this morning, was playing pretty good to start the morning, and then kind of picked up right where I left off,“ said Ogletree, the U.S. Amateur champion who played at Georgia Tech. ”I made a good putt on 12, made a good save on 11, first of all. I laid up, had like 106 yards, saved a par there, made a good putt on 12. Two putted 13 for birdie. So, 2-under through four. Playing 10 and 11 is great any time.”

“So I felt like I was off to a good start and then just kind of coasted.”

MASTERS: Sunday tee times | Leaderboard | How to watch

Ogletree started his third round on No. 10 and made birdies on 12 and 13 to get to 3 under in the tournament.

He then bogeyed two of his last three holes – Nos. 7 and 9, with a birdie on No. 8 sandwiched in – to finish the day.

While Ogletree had a strong third round, Augenstein wasn’t pleased with his day. He shot 75 and is at even par for the tournament.

“The greens were definitely a little faster, but that didn’t have anything to do with it,” said Augenstein, the U.S. Amateur runner-up from Vanderbilt. “I just didn’t hit it as well as I have been. I had a few three putts and just all in all was a poorly played round of golf.”

Though he’s leading the amateur race heading into Sunday’s final round, Ogletree said he’s not taking anything for granted. The low amateur receives the silver cup and a place at the winner’s ceremony.

“I’m just trying to make as many birdies as I can and play my best golf,” Ogletree said. “If that turns out to be low am, I’m super thrilled with that. That’s every amateur’s goal that plays here is to win low am. Yeah, just go out and try to make as many birdies as I can.”

Four amateurs missed the cut. James Sugrue shot a 1-under 71 in the second round but still missed the cut by four strokes after an opening 77. He finished with a 4-over 148. Lukas Michel shot a 6-over 150, Yuxin Lin shot 8-over 152 and Abel Gallegos a 16-over 160.

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50 days until 2020 Masters: Here’s a look at players making their Masters debut

Cameron Champ and Matthew Wolff are among the PGA Tour stars making their Masters debut in April at Augusta National Golf Club.

Seventeen-year-old Abel Gallegos of Argentina shot a final-round 67 at Mayakoba’s El Camaleon Golf Club in January to win the Latin America Amateur Championship. With the trophy, Gallegos received a coveted invitation to the 2020 Masters.

In his first time playing the Latin American Amateur Championship, Gallegos finished at 4 under and beat runner-up Aaron Terrazas of Mexico by four strokes.

The teen says watching countryman Angel Cabrera win a green jacket in 2009 is one of his earliest memories of watching the Masters on TV. Cabrera sent Gallegos a congratulatory text after his win in the LAAC.

Here’s a look at the players who will make their Masters debut at Augusta National Golf Club during Round 1 on April 9, 2020.

Abel Gallegos

Abel Gallegos of Argentina poses at the ceremony for the Latin America Amateur Championship at El Camaleon Mayakoba Golf Course on January 19, 2020. (Photo by Enrique Berardi/LAAC)
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Know their names: These top players will drive amateur golf in 2020

The following names are likely to appear in amateur golf headlines in 2020. Their path to the top of amateur golf is worth following.

In most cases, players have a limited window in which to make waves in amateur golf. Juniors and college players generally use amateur events – from the Western Amateur to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur to the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Women’s Amateur – as a platform to launch them into long and successful professional careers.

Even if amateur golf is transient for the top players, there’s still time to develop a rooting interest for these men and women. The following names – some highlighted individually, and some highlighted in clusters – are likely to appear in headlines on the biggest stages in 2020. Their growth and their path to the top of amateur golf is worth following. Here’s the background.

Emilia Migliaccio, top-ranked U.S. female

Emilia Migliaccio during a Curtis Cup practice session in December. (Photo: USGA/Steven Gibbons)

Migliaccio’s last act before returning to Wake Forest for her junior season was to represent the U.S. at the Pan-American Games. The team won gold that week in Lima, Peru, and so did Migliaccio, which made her the first American, male or female, to win a gold medal in golf at either the Pan American Games or the Olympics since the event was reintroduced to the games in 2015.

It’s fitting that Migliaccio is the top-ranked American in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (at No. 7) entering 2020. It’s also fitting that it’s a Curtis Cup year. Someone like Migliaccio, who shines in a team setting, would be an excellent leader for a U.S. squad looking to win on foreign soil. Migliaccio stands to figure in to all conversations surrounding women’s golf in 2020, from college golf to the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

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