"Bit of a fairy tale"- Mackenzie Hughes expresses relief after having to 'rely' on captain's pick for Presidents Cup selection
Mackenzie Hughes, a Canadian golfer, will represent the International Team in this year's Presidents Cup. The event will be held at Royal Montreal Golf Club, so it's a bit of a homecoming for the world number 65 golfer. It was one that he wasn't sure he was going to get.
The golfer finished the season ranked outside the top six of the automatic qualifier standings for the Presidents Cup. This meant he had to rely on getting picked by the captain.
Ultimately, Mike Weir, a Canadian golf legend, made him one of the picks. Hughes ranked 15th in points before the selection, so there was no real guarantee he'd be a pick. For example, Team USA's six selections were the next six players in points.
The International Team didn't follow that model and Hughes made it to the team as a result. That was a huge relief for him, as he'd been anticipating the decision for a very long time.
Hughes said via TSN:
"Yeah, the whole thing is a bit of a fairy tale. I've had this one in my mind for quite a while, a long time with Mike [Weir] being a captain, playing in Canada. There was a huge emphasis on being here. Obviously, I had to rely on a pick, and to get that call. Even when the phone rings, you're not sure what it's going to be. To kind of sit on eggshells those few days, was really tough. Then to get the news was just pure elation."
Hughes joins Hideki Matsuyama, Sungjae Im, Adam Scott, Tom Kim, Jason Day, Byeong Hun An, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Corey Conners, Si Woo Kim, Min Woo Lee, and Taylor Pendrith on Weir's team.
They will face off against the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau, Sam Burns, Wyndham Clark, and the rest of the team captained by Jim Furyk.
Mackenzie Hughes among three Canadians picked for Presidents Cup
Mike Weir, the captain of the International Team, is Canadian and the Presidents Cup will be held in Canada this year. The team captain picked three from his own country to make up half of his selections.
Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith, and Mackenzie Hughes make up those three. Hughes was ranked 15th, so he's one of the surprise picks. The other three selections include Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Min Woo Lee, and Si Woo Kim.
The International Team hasn't won the Presidents Cup since 1998. They have only recorded a non-loss twice, as they tied in 2003. The USA has dominated recently, and Mackenzie Hughes and company will look to change that later this month.