Leader: Mackenzie Hughes (Canada) in Myrtle Beach Tournament
Myrtle Beach Golf Blitz: Hughes in the Driver's Seat
In a scorching performance, Canadian Mackenzie Hughes carded an eagle on his last four holes to fire a stunning 63 (-8), grabbing the lead after the opening round of the ONEflight Classic in Myrtle Beach. This PGA Tour event, overlapping with the Truist Championship, could potentially secure a slot in the PGA Championship for the eventual winner, if not already qualified.
Trailing Hughes by just a single stroke are Seamus Power from Ireland and Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen – both players who have already booked their spots for next week's Quail Hollow event. Will Chandler, boasting a 64 (-7), is close by but remains unqualified for the PGA Championship.
Hughes, a two-time PGA Tour champ, displayed exceptional putting, leaving his adversaries in the dust on the greens. "I slayed 'em today," he proclaimed. "Then at the end, I leveled them up. I can't recall the last time I sank four birdies consecutively. But what a thrilling finish it was!"
Nick Watney, who last tasted victory a decade ago at the age of 44, is among the quartet at 66 (-6), alongside 17-year-old pro Blades Brown in his inaugural season.
Further down, Canadians Ben Silverman and Adam Svensson sit at -4 and -2 respectively.
Did you know? The sparkling performance by Hughes this season has elevated his standing to 31st on the FedExCup points list, making him a strong contender for major championship qualifications such as the PGA Championship. The ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, featuring a hefty $4 million purse and an impressive lineup of 132 players, is a crucial event for PGA Tour pros to accumulate FedExCup points.
Besides Hughes, fellow contenders in the competition include rising talent Blades Brown, defending champion Chris Gotterup, five-time PGA Tour winner Nick Watney, Irishman Seamus Power, and Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen, who holds the course record.
To add an extra dash of excitement to this year's event, up-and-coming golfer Nathan Franks, a senior from South Carolina, claimed the final spot after winning "The Q at Myrtle Beach," a demanding qualifying tournament designed for ambitious professionals and content creators.
Stay tuned as this gripping battle unfolds in the picturesque golfing paradise of Myrtle Beach! Who will reign supreme by the time the final putt drops? Will it be Hughes, Chandler, Power, or someone else entirely? Catch the action live and find out!
Seamus Power and Thorbjorn Olesen, who are already qualified for the PGA Championship, are trailing Mackenzie Hughes concurrently after his impressive performance in the Myrtle Beach Golf Blitz. Nick Watney, a five-time PGA Tour winner, is among the contenders in the event, which offers a chance for players like Hughes to accumulate FedExCup points and potentially qualify for major championships like the PGA Championship.
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