Canadians on PGA Tour shine spotlight on Humboldt
Two Canadian members of the PGA Tour will put the Humboldt Bronco bus tragedy in a global spotlight this week in New Orleans.
Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Conners have joined forces in the two-man format at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and have been given the green light from Tour officials to use Tom Cochrane’s song Big League as their walk-up music.
Allowing walk-up music is a first for the PGA Tour this year and is similar to a baseball player walking to the batter’s box and having chosen music to accompany him.
“Like all Canadians, what happened to the Humboldt Broncos and the Sask. community really hit home with us,” Hughes wrote in an email interview with Postmedia News. “When Corey and I discovered that Big League was the adopted tribute song of the tragedy and with the new addition of walk-up music at this week’s team event, we thought it would be a fitting tribute to honour the victims this way.”
Canadians playing professional golf have rallied behind those affected by the April 6 tragedy. Canadian LPGA star Brooke Henderson dedicated her win two weeks ago in Hawaii to Humboldt. Nick Taylor promised to donate $1,000 for an eagle and $500 for a birdie two weeks ago at the RBC Heritage.
Hughes, who is a client of Saskatoon-based SBX Group founded by local businessman David Dube, said Tour players are aware of the tragedy and have been supportive.
“The U.S. media did a good job informing and outlining what happened that night, so everyone on Tour was certainly aware, the 27-year-old said. “It obviously affected the Canadians on Tour a little differently, though.”
Like most Canadian youth, Hughes and Conners have hockey in their blood.
“I played hockey from seven to 14 and always loved playing. I was never the biggest kid, so I never played at a crazy high level, but had a lot of fun playing,” Hughes said.
Hughes made a splash when he arrived on Tour and won the RSM Classic in Georgia in 2016. This year, he stands 224th in the Fed Ex Cup standings. Conners is having a strong year with two Top 20 finishes and is currently 117th in FedEx Cup standings.