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.
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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
