Hughes steady in Round 3 with 2-under 68
Mackenzie Hughes said following his round Friday that he's been enjoying the ride since winning the RSM Classic in November, and his play in Hawaii is proving it.
Hughes began slow in the third round of the Sony Open when he pulled his opening drive into the left rough before his second found the green side bunker, which led to a bogey. Hughes hit his stride afterward, with birdies at the sixth, eighth, and par-5 ninth, climbing to 9-under par for the tournament.
The Dundas, Ontario native stuck his tee shot at the par-3 11th to a couple of feet for a kick-in birdie to reach double digits on the week. Hughes would give it back at the par-4 15th when he couldn't advance his second from the rough onto the green, leading to his final blemish on his card.
The Kent State graduate would par in for his third 68 in his last four rounds.
| Stat | Round 3 | Week total |
|---|---|---|
| Score | -2 | -9 |
| Total Strokes | 68 | 201 |
| Birdies | 4 | 16 |
| Pars | 12 | 31 |
| Bogeys | 2 | 7 |
| Fairways hit | 6/14 | 22/42 |
| Driving distance | 309 | 313 |
| Greens hit | 14/18 | 39/54 |
| Putts per GIR | 1.786 | 1.744 |
"Being in Hawaii has been a real treat for my wife and I," said Hughes after the second round. "We're just really grateful to be here, that's really kind of my motto is be really grateful for everything I have right now."
After Sunday's final round, the 26-year-old will take a week off before travelling to Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open.