SIMONS ISLAND, GA— It was a big day for Dundas’ Mackenzie Hughes on November 21, as he returned to the RSM Classic at Sea Island Resort to be one of four players competing in a playoff for the championship.
When all was said and done, Hughes sank an 18-foot par putt from off the green to claim his first PGA Tour victory with a four-day total of 17-under (61-67-68-69-265). In the process he became the first rookie in the past 20 years to go wire-to-wire for his first Tour win.
While it is the first PGA Tour win for Hughes, the 25-year-old does have a Web.Com Tour and a PGA Tour Canada win to his name. The win is not only a milestone for Hughes but also for the province of Ontario, which celebrates it’s first PGA Tour win since Mike Weir won the Fry’s Electronics Open in 2007.
“We are so proud of Mackenzie and his first win on the PGA Tour,” said Golf Ontario Executive Director Mike Kelly. “On behalf of everyone at Golf Ontario, we congratulate him and his family on this incredible accomplishment.”
Before turning professional in 2012, Hughes spent time competing in his home province as an amateur. Top three finishes at both the junior and amateur level earned him the right to represent the province on multiple occasions in inter-provincial competitions at Canadian championships. In 2012, not only did he win his second Canadian Amateur title, but Hughes also led Ontario to the Willingdon Cup as Inter-Provincial Team Champions.
In addition to competing in the inter-provincial championships, Hughes has also represented Ontario in the Can/Am Matches with the South Carolina Junior Golf Association. In 2012, he donned the maple leaf and represented Canada at the International Golf Federation (IGF) World Amateur Team Championships.
“As a junior and amateur golfer, Mackenzie has always been a tremendous ambassador for golf in Ontario and we wish him continued success on what promises to be a very successful career,” added Kelly.
