MYRTLE BEACH CLASSIC

May 9, 2025

Mackenzie Hughes

Dunes Golf and Beach Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Just quieter day in comparison to yesterday. Always hard to follow up when you go low.

MACKENZIE HUGHES: I think the conditions kind of dictated that as well. When we started out, our first nine holes certainly and some of the back nine holes as well. I mean, it was blowing pretty good out there. I thought it was playing quite tricky.

Yeah, it just wasn't the same day. I didn't feel like I was swinging the same way I did yesterday. I felt like I was not quite on. Still a nice job of managing my game, staying patient. Got top of kind of a slow start and kind of built it up there towards the end. Got myself in a good spot.

I would like to have played better today. Maybe gotten out in front a little more. I'm in a good spot going into the weekend. There's a bunch of guys there with a chance. Nothing changes tomorrow. Just keep doing my thing and see where it puts me.

THE MODERATOR: You mentioned the wind. What are those conditions like with the wind kind of changing depending on what hole you're at?

MACKENZIE HUGHES: Yeah, I just thought -- I mean, it was blowing significantly harder. I mean, yesterday there was virtually no wind, and then today hit some shots where I was playing, you know, 20 yards of help or 20 yards of hurt at times. So versus playing virtually none yesterday.

Yeah, again, I thought it was challenging. I'm sure some guys had their way with the course and played well. I know there were some good scores in the morning. I would love to know what the low in the afternoon was, but yeah, I thought it was challenging.

I didn't quite have my stuff, but all in all kind of pleased with how it ended up.

THE MODERATOR: What's the key to navigating around this course? What does this course compare to in any other courses on tour stop?

MACKENZIE HUGHES: Yeah, I mean, turf-wise and with the overseed, it reminds me a lot of next week, Quail. Obviously it's like a little stepbrother of Quail.

Into the greens you're very cognizant of where you need to miss the ball. I think for me especially being at a course where I haven't been ever before, that's probably one of my biggest things that I'm trying to key in on going into a round or before I hit a shot. Just where is the leave if I'm out of position? Where can I make par from?

That's probably been the biggest key to navigating this place. From the fairway it's self-explanatory, but I think it's when you get out of position, knowing where to leave the ball.

Q. Just a broader question. If this course, these people, this management want to grow and someday be a big boy single field event, what would you say to this? Worthy or not?

MACKENZIE HUGHES: Oh, definitely worthy. I think everyone I've talked to this week has raved about the golf course. The guys love this golf course.

This is my first time here, and I've had a great experience so far. Really enjoy the layout. Yeah, I definitely think it has the potential to be a full field, full strength event. I would love to see that.

I think it's definitely more than worthy, and yeah, I think guys would love coming here. A few guys in Philadelphia were asking me about the golf course. I've had nothing but great things to say. Yeah, maybe one day.