News Summary
Canadian golfer Mackenzie Hughes has taken the lead at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, shooting an impressive 8-under par 63 in the first round. His performance included birdies on the final four holes, positioning him ahead of his competitors. Notable players like Seamus Power and Thorbjørn Olesen trail closely behind, while a group of talented golfers, including 17-year-old Blades Brown, compete for the $4 million prize pool. This tournament holds significance as winners can qualify for the PGA Championship.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina –
Canadian golfer Mackenzie Hughes is off to a triumphant start at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic, shooting an impressive 8-under par 63 in the first round of the tournament. His performance included birdies on the final four holes, putting him in the lead as competitors vie for prizing totaling $4 million, with the winner set to take home $720,000.
Hughes, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, is seeking his first victory in over two years. He made modifications to his putting routine ahead of this tournament, seeking to make it quicker and more instinctive after experiencing difficulties in recent contests.
Trailing Hughes by just one stroke are golfers Seamus Power and Thorbjørn Olesen, both of whom have already qualified for the upcoming PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club. Other notable performances on the leaderboard include Will Chandler, who scored a 64 but has yet to secure a place in the PGA Championship, and a group tied at 66 that features Nick Watney—in search of his first win in 13 years—and 17-year-old Blades Brown, competing professionally for his first year.
A total of 132 players are competing in the Myrtle Beach Classic, which runs concurrently with the Truist Championship taking place in Philadelphia, where many top players are participating. Among those competing in Myrtle Beach is Chris Gotterup, who is back to defend his title from last year. Other notable participants include Joel Dahmen, Tom Kim, Brandt Snedeker, and Camilo Villegas. Tom Kim, currently ranked No. 41 in the world, is playing in Myrtle Beach instead of the Truist Championship due to his standings in the FedEx Cup.
Additionally, Jackson Byrd, a freshman golfer at Clemson University, received a sponsor exemption to compete, playing alongside his father Jonathan Byrd. In terms of tournament logistics, prize money is distributed broadly, with amounts decreasing to $8,000 for players finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard.
A memorable moment during the pro-am event at the Dunes Golf and Beach Club was marked by Patrick Marino, who achieved a hole-in-one while playing alongside celebrity Kevin Costner. This year, ONEflight International aims to enhance the tournament experience by incorporating celebrity participation and special moments for attendees.
The newly designed trophy for the Myrtle Beach Classic, created by artist Bryan Rapp, adds an artistic touch to the event. This tournament holds significant importance, as winners will qualify for the PGA Championship if they do not already have eligibility.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic Returns with Star-Studded Lineup
ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic Unveils New Trophy
ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic Pro-Am Kicks Off
ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic Returns to Dunes Club
Jonathan Byrd and Son Compete at Myrtle Beach Classic
2025 ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic Set to Boost Local Economy
Additional Resources
- PGA Tour Daily Wrap-Up
- Wikipedia: PGA Tour
- CBS Sports: Myrtle Beach Classic Picks
- Google Search: Myrtle Beach Classic
- On the Green Magazine: Myrtle Beach Classic Notes
- Google Scholar: Golf Tournament Prize Money
- Columbia Missourian: Mitchell Leads at Truist
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
