Canadian Mackenzie Hughes birdied the final hole to finish in a tie for third on Sunday at the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla.
The Dundas, Ont. golfer finished at 9 under for the tournament along with Chandler Phillips, three strokes back of winner Peter Malnati of the U.S.
Hughes was leading after 10 holes, but settled for par on the par-5 11th before bogeying the next two holes — the last one coming when his first shot found water on the par-3 13th. He finished at 1-under 70 in the final round after draining a nine-footer for birdie on No. 18.
“(Malnati) played incredible,” Hughes said. “He deserved to win. He played better than I did. He was in control of his golf ball. On that back nine, it kind of flipped there early in the back nine. I made a couple loose swings and kind of misjudged a bit of wind on 12 and 13. He played those holes 1-under, and we kind of flip-flopped. But he played tremendous. Yeah, it was impressive to watch.”
Meanwhile, Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C. finished in a four-way tie for fifth at 8 under.
Hadwin shot a 2-under 69 in the final round.
Hughes, fifth among Canadians in the world rankings, and Hadwin, third, both are trying to narrow the gap and be in the top two at the June cutoff to earn a spot in the Paris Olympics.
Nick Taylor and Corey Conners were in the two top spots entering this tournament.
Canadian golfers Mackenzie Hughes and Adam Hadwin put on impressive performances at the Valspar Championship, securing top five finishes in the prestigious tournament. Hughes finished in third place, while Hadwin finished in fifth place, showcasing their talent and skill on the golf course.
Hughes, a native of Dundas, Ontario, had a strong showing throughout the tournament, consistently shooting low scores and making key putts when it mattered most. His performance was highlighted by a final round 66, which included six birdies and no bogeys. This strong finish propelled him into the top three and solidified his status as one of Canada’s top golfers.
Hadwin, hailing from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, also had a solid showing at the Valspar Championship. He put together four solid rounds of golf, finishing with a total score of 275, just three shots behind the winner. Hadwin’s consistent play and ability to stay focused under pressure helped him secure a top five finish in a field of talented competitors.
The success of Hughes and Hadwin at the Valspar Championship is a testament to their hard work and dedication to their craft. Both golfers have been steadily improving their game over the years and are now starting to see the results pay off in the form of top finishes in prestigious tournaments.
As Canadian golf continues to grow in popularity and success on the international stage, Hughes and Hadwin are leading the charge and proving that they can compete with the best in the world. Their performances at the Valspar Championship serve as inspiration for aspiring young golfers in Canada and showcase the talent and potential that exists within the country’s golfing community.
Overall, Hughes and Hadwin’s top five finishes at the Valspar Championship are a source of pride for Canadian golf fans and a sign of great things to come for these two talented players. Their success on the PGA Tour is sure to inspire future generations of Canadian golfers and help elevate the sport to new heights in the country.