‘Consolation prize’ goes to Hughes
Ontario golfer earns Rivermead Trophy as the top homegrown player at Glen Abbey
OAKVILLE, Ont. — Don’t get him wrong, Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont. is thrilled to walk away from the RBC Canadian Open as the low Canadian. It just wasn’t his goal.
The PGA Tour rookie won the Rivermead Trophy as Canadian with the best score after firing a finalround, 4-under 68 Sunday to finish this year’s edition of the national championship at 10-under 278, tied for 32nd.
But like all the players at Glen Abbey this week, Hughes was looking to win the 108th Canadian Open, not just be top homegrown player.
“It’s a consolation prize, I would say,” said Hughes, playing in the world’s third oldest national open as a professional for the first time.
“You know, it’s a nice honour for sure. And I’m beating a lot of good players that came out of Canada this week. But I think if you asked Graham (DeLaet), or I, or David (Hearn), I think we all wanted to win. So being low Canadian is great, but next year I’m coming back for more.”
A total of 17 Canadians were entered in the field of 156 players but only Hughes and DeLaet made it through to the weekend. Both spun their wheels on Saturday, though, after being just four strokes behind second-round leader Martin Flores. Hughes was 2-over 74 while DeLaet had 73. DeLaet finished up with 71 Sunday to wind up in a tie for 48th at 8-under 280.
Hughes played much better on Sunday, picking up an eagle on the second hole and birdies on 10, 15, 16, and 17. His only blemishes were bogeys on Nos. 4 and 18. Hughes said he was very disappointed by the bogey on the final hole, a par5, which at 524-yards is very reachable in two.
He put his tee shot into the same right-hand bunker that Tiger Woods hit that miraculous 6-iron out of to win in 2000. Hughes had to layup with his next shot, put his third just the green, and ended up with a six.
“It’s a bit sour tasting right now making six on the last hole,” Hughes said. “It’s not playing very hard. I’m probably going to think about that one for a little while. I had my sights set on three and I made six. That’s a pretty tough pill to swallow, but lesson learned, don’t get ahead of yourself.”
Fantastic
There was still plenty of support out on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course for both Canadians despite them not being in contention. DeLaet was greeted by loud applause and pounding on the boards of the hockey-themed par-3 7th hole, and even louder cheers erupted when he sunk his 12-footer for birdie.
“The support we get as Canadians in this golf tournament is great, and you really want to be able to give them something to cheer about,” said DeLaet.
Strike one!
Kevin Chappell, who started the day a stroke off the lead at 16 under, did something you don’t see from a pro very often: he missed the ball.
The Fresno, Calif., native got into some trouble when he put his tee shot into the rough on the 527-yard, par-5 second hole and had some branches to content with.
Chappell’s swing was a bit restricted and when he finally got down to addressing the ball, it was a swing and a miss. He went right over the ball and completely whiffed on it.
Chappell wound up with a bogey on the hole.
Chipshots
Andres Gonzales drained a short iron from 139 yard for an eagle on the 433-yard, par-4 fifth hole … Matt Every had a bit of a strange 18th hole. He hit his second shot on the 524-yarder onto the clubhouse patio, took a drop, then hit into the greenside bunker from where he holed out for a birdie to get to 15 under … World No. 1 Dustin pounded a drive 390 yards on the par-5, 18th hole … The par-3, 7th hole, set at 150 yards to commemorate Canada’s birthday, and complete with hockey boards, bleachers and a Zamboni, was a big hit this week with the players and fans, who pounded loudly on the boards whenever a golfer hit a good shot.