Hamilton’s Hughes wins first Web.com Tour title
Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes won the Price Cutter Charity Championship on Sunday for his first Web.com Tour victory and a likely spot on the PGA Tour next season.
The 25-year-old Hughes, a former Kent State player from Hamilton, Ont., birdied the final hole in hot conditions at Highland Springs for a 6-under 66 and a one-stroke victory over Richy Werenski.
“This is the hardest day of my life,” Hughes said. “I’m so proud of the way I hung in there. I had to dig so deep. The thoughts were going crazy in my head.
“Trying to quiet that down was the greatest challenge I’ve had in my life. I kid you not, there were so many times I thought about the outcome and what it could mean to my family and everything like that. I had to bring myself back so many times. I just wanted to get across the line and it feels so good.”
Hughes finished at 24-under 264 and earned $121,500 to jump from 88th to 14th on the money list with $165,248. The top 25 after the final two regular-season events will earn PGA Tour cards.
“That’s silly talk right there,” Hughes said. “PGA Tour? Let’s go. It’s exciting.”
Werenski eagled the par-5 18th for a 66.
Hughes laid up on the 18th, and hit his 108-yard third shot to a foot.
“That is the moment of my career so far,” Hughes said. “There were some moments where I need to hit a shot and I needed to make a putt.”
Making his 40th start on the tour, Hughes opened with two rounds of 67 and shot a 67 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead into the final round. Kevin Tway was third at 21 under after a 67. Chris Baker (68) and Xander Schauffele (69) were 20 under.