 Less than a week after dropping his son off to college to start his collegiate golf career, Scott Gutschewski has put himself in position to earn a “graduation” of sorts from the Korn Ferry Tour to the PGA TOUR. The 44-year-old carded a 63 on moving day at the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron to take a two-stroke lead into the final round at Hillcrest Country Club in Boise, Idaho.
The Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron is the first of three tournaments in the 2021 Korn Ferry Tour Finals. The top-25 players in the Finals points standings at the conclusion of the three tournaments will earn PGA TOUR membership for the 2021-22 season. A win, or potentially even just a top-five finish, would lock up a return to the PGA TOUR for Gutschewski. The University of Nebraska product last competed full-time on the PGA TOUR in 2011 and has since endured a decade of injuries and doubt as he tries to make it back to the highest level. “I feel like everybody out here probably thinks about hanging it up every week or two,” laughed Gutschewski. “Every time you miss a cut and you’re on the road in the middle of nowhere, you think what am I doing here. But we do it for the good weeks. I do love playing. I love being out here and competing. It’s hard to be out here if you don’t want to be out here, almost impossible, to be successful. But I love it. There’s nothing better.” On Monday, Gutschewski helped move his son, Luke, into Iowa State University where he will compete on the golf team. The elder Gutschewski flew to Boise on Tuesday morning to begin prep for the week. “Monday – this has been a really emotional week – Monday we moved him into Ames. we moved him into Iowa State,” said Gutschewski. “He’s been there all week hanging out with the team and practicing and getting ready. I think they start qualifying next week for their fall season. My daughter is playing for her high school team. My 14-year-old started high school last Thursday. They were upset actually, they started school last Thursday so they couldn’t come out to Omaha the first two days [last week]. My 5-year-old is going to Kindergarten. It’s very busy. Just ask my wife.” After rounds of 67-66 to start the week, Gutschewski carded seven birdies, a bogey and an eagle on Saturday for a 63. While he will be seeking his third career Korn Ferry Tour victory – and first since 2008 – Gutschewski will also have an eye towards the Finals points list as he attempts a return to the TOUR. “I’ve had three nice days, it would be nice to have another nice day tomorrow,” said Gutschewski. “I think I can speak for everyone here, or that has played there, that you don’t want to leave it on the line at Victoria National [in two weeks]. It would be nice to be able to relax and have a nice calm week there. That’s not a place where you want to go having to play well. But we’re in a great spot and hopefully can go out and play well tomorrow.” Gutschewski leads a trio of players at 15-under: Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Kelly Kraft and Ben Taylor. For Aphibarnrat, the third-round 63 was his lowest career round in any PGA TOUR-sanctioned start, a stat which includes 85 starts on the PGA TOUR and four on the Korn Ferry Tour. “I feel really comfortable with the way I’m swinging,” said Aphibarnrat. “It’s a lot of positive thinking and a lot of positive stuff that has carried on to the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. Ball-striking was in the top-10 at the 3M Open, putting was in the top-10 at the Wyndham. There’s a lot of good stuff in there. I just want to come out here and enjoy the golf game again.” The final round will run from 8:35 a.m. to 3:05 p.m. off of the first tee on Sunday at Hillcrest Country Club. Third-Round Notes
Third-Round Course Statistics
 Seven players sit tied for the lead after 36 holes at 10-under 132 at the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron, a record-high number of players sitting equal after the second round dating back to at least 2008. Second-round co-leaders at Hillcrest Country Club include: Mark Hubbard, John Huh, Ben Kohles, Patrick Rodgers, Chad Ramey, Hayden Buckley and J.J. Spaun.
The Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron is the first of three tournaments in the 2021 Korn Ferry Tour Finals. The top-25 players in the Finals points standings at the conclusion of the three tournaments will earn PGA TOUR membership for the 2021-22 season. While Kohles and Ramey have each already earned their 2021-22 PGA TOUR card via finishing in the top-25 of the regular season Korn Ferry Tour points standings, the other five players are looking to regain their TOUR status or reach the PGA TOUR for the first time. “I think these three Finals events, nothing against them, but it’s probably the easiest way to get your [TOUR] card,” said Hubbard, a 32-year-old who has competed full-time on both the Korn Ferry Tour (three seasons) and PGA TOUR (five season). “I think finishing in the top-25 on the Korn Ferry Tour [regular season], especially in this mega-season, has got to be the hardest, and then I think finishing inside the top-125 on TOUR is in the middle. Obviously I’d rather be in New Jersey right now, but I feel good about my chances out here, I’ve been playing well over the last couple of months and all it takes is one good – not even amazing – week among these three and you have your card back.” Hubbard, who finished 143rd in the FedExCup this season, joins Huh (153rd), Rodgers (128th) and Spaun (174th) in trying to regain PGA TOUR status after an underwhelming season at the highest level. Rodgers in particular noted the three-tournament stretch as an opportunity to rebound and enter the 2021-22 PGA TOUR season with some momentum. “Yeah, I really tried to do as much as I could to get off to a fresh start for these three events,” said Rodgers. “One positive that I can take from being here is that I felt like my recent form has been trending in the right direction. I didn’t feel like I was playing poor golf to end up here. I’m trying to be as confident as I can in my golf game and realize that these are amazing opportunities to win golf tournaments. I’m excited about that, that’s why I play.” Buckley, a University of Missouri alum who won the LECOM Suncoast Classic in February, is attempting to reach the PGA TOUR for the first time. The 25-year-old is nearing the end of a strong rookie campaign on the Korn Ferry Tour that included a win and a runner-up finish, the latter of which came two weeks ago at the Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank. Kohles and Ramey officially locked up PGA TOUR membership through their finish inside The 25 after the regular season finale last week. Kohles will return to the TOUR full-time for the first time since his rookie season in 2013 after finishing 23rd in the standings last week. Ramey will compete on TOUR as a rookie next season after a dominant season that has included a win, 21 top-25s and 37 of 40 made cuts. Ramey, a Mississippi State alum, finished third in the regular season standings last week. The highest recorded number of players tied after 36 holes (dating back to at least 2008) previous to this week was five at the 2020 Korn Ferry Challenge at TPC Sawgrass. The third round will run from 7:30 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. off of the first tee on Saturday at Hillcrest Country Club. Second-Round Notes
Second-Round Course Statistics
Today in a statement, REO Speedwagon announced the cancelation of their show this Friday night, August 20, because members of the REO touring family are still recovering from Covid-19: Unfortunately, while we have been practicing CDC and locally recommended COVID-19 protocols on tour, members of the REO touring family tested positive for COVID-19. Fortunately, everyone was vaccinated, so only experienced mild symptoms and are recovering more and more every day. However, for the safety of our band, crew members, venue staff, our families, and our awesome fans, we will regrettably need to cancel our upcoming show in Boise, Idaho. Once everyone affected observes the recommended quarantine, tests negative, and feels up to it, we’ll be back on the road again! Stay safe & get vaccinated everyone! Replacing REO Speedwagon on Friday night will be Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Sammy Hagar and his Supergroup The Circle featuring Michael Anthony, Jason Bonham and Vic Johnson. Grammy-winning musician Rick Springfield will also make a special appearance at the concert. “We thank our brothers Sammy and the Circle, and Rick Springfield for having our back Friday in Boise. We will miss playing for our awesome fans, but guarantee that Sam and Rick will rock them, big time,” said REO lead singer, Kevin Cronin. Both Thursday’s sold out Old Dominion concert and Saturday’s sold out Sammy Hagar & The Circle concert will go on as planned. All Friday tickets are still valid, and ticketholders can still use their same tickets to attend the show on Friday night to see Sammy Hagar and Rick Springfield. Ticket holders who no longer wish to attend on Friday can receive a refund at the event website: www.albertsonsboiseopen.com The Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron will be conducted within local health and safety guidelines as well as PGA TOUR COVID-19 testing policies and strongly encourages the use of masks at the event. For more information, please visit www.AlbertsonsBoiseOpen.com  · Saturday tickets are already sold out, Thursday and Friday sellouts expected soon
· New Albertsons Fan Pavilion on the 16th green open to ALL fans/no cover charge · New Junior Day sponsored by Pacific Office Automation on Sunday, August 22 · 100% of ticket sales will go to local charities via Mondelez Tickets Support Charity Today at Hillcrest Country Club, the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron hosted 115 media members, tournament sponsors, media partners and Albertsons Executives for the official 2021 Media Day hosted by Coca-Cola. The event included tournament and charity updates from Albertsons Intermountain Division President, John Colgrove and Jeff Sanders Entertainment (JSE) CEO, Jeff Sanders as well as a Q&A with NBC Golf Commentator, Jim “Bones” Mackay. As part of the exclusive interview for those in attendance, Mackay discussed the PGA TOUR level of golf at the Albertsons Boise Open. “Back in my day, when I started in 1990, you wouldn’t have expected the younger players to play as well as they do and be able to make birdies down the stretch to give themselves chances to win tournaments. That’s what the Korn Ferry Tour is all about, it’s preparing these guys to be amazing players,” said Mackay. “They go straight to the PGA TOUR and they can be very effective. It’s really an extension of the PGA TOUR and it’s incredibly deep.” So far this PGA TOUR season, 26 of the 39 tournaments have been won by players who came through Boise on the Korn Ferry Tour in recent years including Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Bryson DeChambeau, Viktor Hovland, Jason Kokrak, Max Homa, Sam Burns, Billy Horschel and Stewart Cink. Albertsons Intermountain Division President, John Colgrove discussed the Albertsons Boise Open’s rich history of supporting charity, raising over $25 Million since 1990. He explained that once again a portion of the money raised for charity will come from the Mondelez Tickets Support Charity Program, where 100% of all ticket sales support local charities. Through the Mondelez Tickets for Charity program, all ticket purchasers will select one of 35 local charities that their ticket purchase will support. “We are so proud of the impact this event has had on the Greater Boise Community since 1990 and this year will be bigger than ever,” said Colgrove. “We also can’t wait to welcome our fans back to the event in August. We know the city of Boise is ready to attend, have fun and embrace the event!” Following John, Albertsons Boise Open Executive Director and JSE CEO, Jeff Sanders, spoke to the crowd about the new fan enhancements at the event this August 19-22. “As the Executive Director of this great event for all 32 years, and I’ve never been more excited about the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron as I am right now,” said Sanders. “Our top priority is to raise as much money as we can for charity, but a close second is making sure we have the best fan experience AND the best sponsorship and ticket value on the PGA TOUR! Thanks to Albertsons, Chevron and our long list of treasured sponsors, volunteers, Hillcrest staff and members, that is exactly what the team has planned for this year.” New this year, the event will feature three nights of concerts after golf on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, August 19-21 at Hillcrest CC. Thursday night will feature reigning CMA and ACM “Group of the Year,” Old Dominion. On Friday night, legendary rock and roll band REO Speedwagon will take the stage with their hits “Can’t fight this feeling,” “Keep on Loving You,” “Take It On the Run” and more. On Saturday, acclaimed supergroup Sammy Hagar and The Circle will perform their career-spanning hits from Montrose, Van Halen, Sammy Hagar and The Waboritas and Led Zeppelin. Saturday tickets for golf and the Sammy Hagar & The Circle concert are already sold out and Thursday and Friday tickets are expected to sell out in the next few weeks. “For the first time ever at the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron and in the history of the Korn Ferry Tour, we have sold out of tickets for Saturday’s third round, and thanks to our amazing fans, we did it in just a few weeks’ time,” said Sanders. “The response to our theme of golf by day and music by night, the Boise community has been tremendous and we expect to sell out Thursday and Friday tickets very soon.” The concerts will be held at Hillcrest CC on the 18th fairway and will start immediately after golf concludes. Concert admission is included with the purchase of daily tickets and four-day passes - there will not be any additional charges or upgraded tickets needed to enjoy the concerts after golf on the night our fans purchase their daily ticket. The concerts are sponsored by Smithfield Foods on Thursday, Tyson Foods on Friday and Sanderson Farms on Saturday. The Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron will be the first of three Korn Ferry Tour Finals events to feature 75 PGA TOUR players and the top 75 Korn Ferry Tour players as they compete to earn their PGA TOUR cards for the 2021-2022 PGA TOUR season. The tournament has hosted many of the best golfers in the world over the years on their way to PGA TOUR stardom including: Will Zalatoris, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson, Gary Woodland and many more. In addition to the great golf and concert admission, all tickets will include admission to two on-course hospitality venues - the Albertsons Fan Pavilion on the 16th green featuring Michelob Ultra Beers For Birdies and Albertsons Signature Café and the Coors Light Fan Deck behind the 18th green. Sanders also announced that Sunday’s Final Round will feature Junior Day sponsored by Pacific Office Automation. Junior Day will include a free tournament logo’d hat and lunch for the first 500 kids in attendance as well as free golf games and golf lessons for juniors of all skill levels. Daily tickets are $25 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday (sold out) and just $10 for Sunday’s final round and Junior Day. Kids 15 and under get in free with a paid adult all week. The tournament will be conducted within local health guidelines and PGA TOUR COVID-19 testing policies. For more information, please visit www.AlbertsonsBoiseOpen.com  New three-night concert series will feature Old Dominion, REO Speedwagon and Sammy Hagar & The Circle.
Albertsons Companies has agreed to extend its title sponsorship of the Albertsons Boise Open and Chevron has agreed to become the presenting sponsor of the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron, to be held August 19-22 at Hillcrest Country Club in Boise, ID. This year’s event marks the 32nd consecutive year with Albertsons as the Title sponsor and Hillcrest Country Club as the host venue. The event will continue its rich history of supporting charity by adding to the millions of dollars raised since the inaugural event in 1990. A portion of the money raised for charity will once again come from the Mondelez Tickets Support Charity Program where 100% of all ticket sales support local charities. Through the Mondelez Tickets Support Charity program, all ticket purchasers will select the local charity their ticket purchase will support. “We are grateful for 31 years of amazing support from our title sponsor, Albertsons and our treasured and loyal sponsors. The unwavering support of Albertsons has been the engine that has driven millions of dollars from the event‘s proceeds to charity.” said Jeff Sanders, President of Jeff Sanders Entertainment, the event management company. “The addition of Chevron as our presenting sponsor, with their long history in professional golf, sets the stage for the event to continue to break records on the Korn Ferry Tour for charity dollars raised.” New this year, the event will feature three nights of concerts after golf on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, August 19-21 at Hillcrest CC. Thursday night will feature reigning CMA and ACM “Group of the Year,” Old Dominion. On Friday night, legendary rock and roll band REO Speedwagon will take the stage with their hits “Can’t fight this feeling,” “Keep on Loving You,” “Take It On the Run” and more. On Saturday, acclaimed supergroup Sammy Hagar and The Circle will perform their career-spanning hits from Montrose, Van Halen, Sammy Hagar and The Waboritas and Led Zeppelin. The concerts will be held at Hillcrest CC on the 18th fairway and will start immediately after golf concludes. Concert admission is included with the purchase of daily tickets and four-day passes - there will not be any additional charges or upgraded tickets needed to enjoy the concerts after golf. The concerts are sponsored by Smithfield Foods on Thursday, Tyson Foods on Friday and Sanderson Farms on Saturday. “This year’s event will showcase PGA TOUR golf, exciting concerts and enjoyable hospitality, all in the same day at the affordable price of only $25,” said Sanders. “A big thank you for the tremendous support of Albertsons, Chevron, over 100 major sponsors and 800 loyal Boise volunteers for making it all possible.” The Albertsons Boise Open presented by Chevron will be the first of three Korn Ferry Tour Finals events to feature 75 PGA TOUR players and the top 75 Korn Ferry Tour players as they compete to earn their PGA TOUR cards for the 2021-2022 PGA TOUR season. The tournament has hosted many of the best golfers in the world over the years on their way to PGA TOUR stardom including: Will Zalatoris, Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Rickie Fowler, Bubba Watson, Patrick Cantlay, Webb Simpson, Gary Woodland and many more. Event tickets are on sale now. Daily tickets are $25 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday and just $10 for Sunday’s final round. A limited number of 4-day passes will also be available for $50 that include admission to all four days of the golf tournament and all three evening concerts. In addition to the great golf and concert admission, all tickets will include admission to two on-course hospitality venues - the Albertsons Fan Pavilion on the 16th green featuring Michelob Ultra Beers Fore Birdies and Albertsons Signature Café and the Coors Light Fan Deck behind the 18th green. The tournament will be conducted within local health guidelines and PGA TOUR COVID-19 testing policies. For more information, please visit www.AlbertsonsBoiseOpen.com  Time and time again, Stephan Jaeger has provided a roadmap to playing under pressure. Sunday’s final round at the Albertsons Boise Open presented by Kraft & Nabisco proved to be no different as the 31-year-old carded a 3-under 68 to claim a two-stroke victory at Hillcrest Country Club.
“I feel comfortable being uncomfortable,” Jaeger reiterated after the win. “The only time I get uncomfortable is when I have the lead…My goal every time I play is to win the golf tournament. It’s been a little bit of a drought, and obviously I was on TOUR last year and I want to win one of those, but I’m on the Korn Ferry Tour this year so I’m going to try and win as many as I can by next August.” With the win, Jaeger has now won five times (of 11 career top-10s) in 97 starts on the Korn Ferry Tour, one of only 13 players in the Tour’s 31-year history to earn five or more wins. He is two shy of Jason Gore’s all-time record of seven wins. Jaeger’s victory also places him atop the three-event points list of which the top-five earners over the Korn Ferry Tour Championship Series earn 2020 U.S. Open exemptions. While not mathematically confirmed yet, Jaeger is in great shape to earn one of the five exemptions. “It would be awesome to play in the U.S. Open because I could see Jason Gore and try to beat his record,” laughed Jaeger. “I’m coming for you Jason! Playing in the U.S. Open would be great, but it’s kind of icing on the cake after this win. I’ve got to play well on this Tour to accomplish what I want to do which is to get back on TOUR.” After rounds of 65-64-65 to start the tournament, Jaeger’s final round was much less of a birdie barrage. He eagled the second hole to quickly get to 2-under on the day but parred his next 11 holes before sinking a 30-foot birdie at the par-4 14th. He added another birdie at the par-5 16th for a three-stroke lead but slipped back to a two-stroke advantage, the final margin, with a bogey at the 17th. “I felt some nerves early obviously; Cameron came out hot so I knew I needed to stay close,” said Jaeger after his playing competitor, Cameron Young, was 3-under through two holes. “I just never really had a birdie putt that was very close and if I did, I missed it. Sometimes you have days like that. I just put it on cruise control for a little bit there and tried to make some birdies on some easy holes. Nothing really happened until 14 and I made a longer putt there to give me something.” Jaeger grew up in Germany before moving to the United States to finish up high school, play golf and attend the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. He still lives in Chattanooga with his wife Shelby, who was in attendance in Boise to see his victory. In addition to his five victories, Jaeger also holds the all-time 18-hole scoring record (58) and 72-hole scoring record (30-under 250) on Tour. This season he had made nine of 13 cuts to sit 74th in the points standings entering the week, but projects to move to 12th in the standings after the win. Jaeger ultimately held off Syracuse, New York, native Dan McCarthy and former Stanford University star Brandon Wu for the two-stroke victory. McCarthy entered the day T10 but carded a final-round 64 to ascend the leaderboard. Wu, a 23-year-old rookie, earned his best career finish and his second top-10 finish in just four starts as a professional on Tour. Next week, the Tour travels to Columbus, Ohio, for the second of three events in the Korn Ferry Tour Championship Series, the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship. |
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The Albertsons Boise Open is produced by Jeff Sanders Entertainment.
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