Dundas golfer holds 2-shot lead
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA. — Five tournaments into his rookie season on the PGA Tour, Mackenzie Hughes has the 36-hole lead at Sea Island and expects a few nerves.
That weekend the Canadian golfer spent with Phil Mickelson should at least help.
The 25-year-old from Dundas had another bogey-free round Friday and took care of the par 5s on the Plantation Course for a 5-under 67, giving him a two-shot lead over C.T. Pan going into the weekend of the RSM Classic, the final PGA Tour event of the year. Hughes at was at 14-under 128. Pan also is a rookie, and perhaps they can take inspiration from rookie Cody Gribble winning in Mississippi three weeks ago. Hughes and Pan both spent last year on the Web.com Tour.
“There’s going to be nerves tomorrow, and I’m going to be a little jittery starting out, but that’s completely natural,” Hughes said. Hughes started his rookie season in the Safeway Open, made the cut and wound up in the same group with Mickelson, who attracted the largest gallery.
“The atmosphere was a dream start for me. … He was a super nice guy, really welcoming. It was a nice way to break yourself in.”
It was an experience that could come in handy for Hughes.
“Being with him for two days and with his galleries and all the distractions going on there, that’s probably as good a preparation as you would have for tomorrow and Sunday.”
Hughes opened with a 9-under 61 on the Seaside course at Sea Island, and while he didn’t hit the ball as cleanly over at Plantation, he had few complaints.