Oct 15, 2016
Canadian Hughes showing he belongs in first PGA event
PGA rookie Mackenzie Hughes is tied for 12th and heading into the weekend at the Safeway Open in Napa. The Canadian is showing he belongs on the major circuit in his first event, TSN's Bob Weeks writes.
By Bob Weeks
In his first PGA Tour event as a member, Mackenzie Hughes is showing he belongs. The Dundas, Ont., product made the cut at the Safeway Open, the only one of six Canucks in the field to do so. After the rain-plagued event finished up its second round on Saturday, Hughes was sitting in a tie for 12th place, nine shots back of the lead.
“I’m thrilled to be where I’m at right now,” he told reporters after 36 holes. “We’re only half-way but it’s a good start.”
If the 25-year-old Canadian needed any more of a welcome-to-the-PGA-Tour moment, he’ll get it in the third round in which he’ll be paired with Phil Mickelson.
Hughes, a two-time Canadian Amateur champion, made 11 birdies in the first two rounds, buoyed in no small part by a hot putter. He was sixth in the Strokes Gained: Putting category, which measures his putting against the field.
Part of Hughes’ strong play may stem from the fact he is coming off a stretch of tournaments on the Web.com Tour. He won on the junior circuit five weeks ago (which assured him of promotion to the PGA Tour), played the next three events as part of the Web.com tour finals, had an unscheduled week when the Web.Com Tour Championship was cancelled due to Hurricane Matthew, and then arrived Monday in Napa, Calif., to start the PGA Tour’s 2016-17.
“Me personally, I like coming off tournaments, where I’ve played and where I’ve been competitive,” said Hughes, “and I think the guys who have had a month or so layoff are trying to get back in the swing of things.”
By comparison, Graham DeLaet hasn’t played a tournament in seven weeks.
As a rookie on the Tour, Hughes position on the priority ranking fluctuates depending on how he plays. At several times during the year, that ranking is shuffled and players move up or down depending on their recent performance. For that reason, it’s imperative to put some money in the bank in these early tournaments.
“Any time you play the weekend and you’re making some cash, you’re moving forward,” said Hughes.
No matter how well he plays this week, Hughes won’t be in the field at the next event. But it’s with good reason; the Kent State graduate is getting married next Saturday. But he’ll return to play shortly after that, hopefully with one strong finish already on his resume.