PGA TOUR
Sanderson Farms Championship
Hughes Wins Sanderson Farms Championship In A Playoff
Mackenzie Hughes claimed his second PGA Tour title with his playoff victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi. With his victory, the 31-year-old Canadian reached the winner’s circle for the first time in six years. Hughes produced a birdie at the second extra hole to overcome Austria’s Sepp Straka. Both players finished regulation play at The Country Club of Jackson on 17-under.
Hughes (69) and Straka (67) went toe to toe over the final stretch of holes in an exciting finish that saw ten players within three shots of the lead during the back nine. Straka moved into the lead at the ninth hole with his third birdie in a row. The 29-year-old, who was the first Austrian to win on the PGA Tour at the 2022 Honda Classic, was making his bid for a second PGA Tour title making the turn in 4-under. Minutes later Hughes made a birdie at the ninth hole to tie Straka for the lead. The Canadian claimed the solo lead with his second birdie in a row at the 10th hole. Straka struck back with back-to-back birdies at the 14th and 15th holes to move one clear. Hughes followed Straka in with his own birdie at the 15th hole to share the lead. Hughes short game was elite. The world No. 82 made a timely par save at the 14th hole when he buried a 16-foot putt. He then produced a clutch up and down par save at the 16th hole from six feet to remain tied for the lead. And, at the 72nd hole, Hughes made the crucial up and down par save from 35 yards to force the playoff. Hughes also made a stunning par save at the first playoff hole from the greenside bunker to finish the week ranked number one in the field for scrambling with 23 up and downs from 25 attempts.
South Africa’s Garrick Higgo claimed outright third place one shot out of the playoff. The 23-year-old, who was searching for his second PGA Tour win, missed his chance to join the leaders when he failed to convert a birdie attempt from seven feet at the 17th hole. Higgo posted a final round 4-under 68 to get to 16-under.
Fellow South African Dean Burmester finished in solo fourth place at 15-under. It was 33-year-old’s best performance on the PGA Tour. Burmester, who earned 2022/23 PGA Tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour, carded an impressive 5-under 67 on Sunday.
Mark Hubbard held the 54-hole lead at 15-under after a thrilling third round 7-under 65. It was the first time in his career the 33-year-old American led the field going into Sunday. Hubbard, who was hoping for his maiden PGA Tour title at his 164th start, posted a disappointing 2-over 74 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Emiliano Grillo, Nick Hardy and Keegan Bradley.
Defending champion Sam Burns was looking for his fifth PGA Tour title in 17 months. The 26-year-old American finished in a tie for 30th place at 8-under.
Harrison Endycott was the only Australian in the field. The 26-year-old from Sydney was unable to back up his strong form two weeks ago at the Fortinet Championship where he finished T12. The PGA Tour rookie missed the cut in Jackson with rounds of 73 and 74.
The PGA Tour moves to Nevada for next week’s Shriners Children’s Open to be staged at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas. Korea’s Sungjae Im is the defending champion.
Final Scores
Sanderson Farms Championship
1. Mackenzie Hughes -17
2. Sepp Straka -17
3. Garrick Higgo -16
4. Dean Burmester -15
T5. Mark Hubbard -13
T5. Emiliano Grillo -13
T5. Nick Hardy -13
T5. Keegan Bradley -13
T9. Matthew NeSmith -12
T9. Greyson Sigg -12
T9. Thomas Detry -12
T9. Taylor Montgomery -12
Australian
MC. Harrison Endycott
Photo credit: Jonathan Bachman /Getty Images
