Jackson, Mississippi – It was a long drought from the winner’s circle but Mackenzie Hughes pulls off his first win since 2016 at the 2022 Sanderson Farms Championship. The Sanderson Farms Championship is played at the The Country Club of Jackson in Mississippi and isn’t too far from his last victory at the RSM Classic over in coastal Georgia. Mackenzie’s win didn’t come without obstacles, however. Even after getting his score to 17 under par for the week, Mackenzie Hughes had some company atop the leaderboard. Sepp Straka came down the stretch and birdied both holes 14 and 15 to get his score to 17 under par. The tie sent these two to a playoff.
Before we get to the playoff, lets back up to Thursday. Mackenzie started off his week by shooting a very pedestrian one under 71 which put him in a tie for 38th. That definitely set him up for an uphill battle. Meanwhile, fellow playoff competitor Sepp Straka shot a three under 69, good enough for a few spots better but still very average. Neither of these players started off hot. In fact, Davis Riley and Will Gordon both medaled in the first round with a pair of 66’s. Both ended up finishing halfway down the leaderboard in the 40’s. There was a large swing in scores all week. That trend continued with the leaders.
Once the dust settled on Sunday, there were only two players still standing – Hughes and Straka. The playoff was set for hole 18, a long 476 yard par 4. The first playoff hole, Straka missed his birdie by an inch while Hughes had to get up and down from a greenside bunker. Both made par and the playoff continued. The second playoff hole which again was on hole 18, saw both players hit the green in regulation. This time, it was Hughes that drained an 8 foot putt to seal the victory. He immediately fist pumped, knowing the drought was over for the Canadian born golfer.
Next week, the PGA Tour heads to Las Vegas for the Shriner’s Children’s Open where Sungjae Im is the reigning champion.
Mackenize Hughes WITB:
Driver: Ping G425 LST 9 degrees (Project X HZRDUS T1100 75g)
3-wood: Ping G425 Max 14.5 degrees (Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 70 6.5 TX)
7-wood: Ping G410 20.5 degrees (Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 90 6.5 TX)
Irons: Ping i210 (4-6) Ping S55 (7-PW) (Project X 6.5)
Wedges: Ping Glide 2.0 Stealth 52-SS, 56-WS, 60-SS (True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400)
Putter: Ping Scottsdale TR Piper C
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Zack Buechner
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Looks like the golfing challenge of late is the desert/like temperatures. The players reveal this via sweat soaked shirt/backs, which dampens their suave and smart summer attire, as well as their grasp, or well/formed grip on their heated, club handles. The courses are running faster perhaps, with the baked, yellow/greens shedding their accustomed, moist, natural state. Everyone knows a motorized vehicle on grass will soon display soaking wet, rubber tires. These particular indian/summer, parched links do not desire this protracted drought, especially when it is enhanced by the Western winds of the Great Divide.