MYRTLE BEACH CLASSIC

May 9, 2026

Mark Hubbard

Dunes Golf and Beach Club

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Bogey-free 64. What did you like about your third round?

MARK HUBBARD: Yeah, my patience more than anything. You know, I felt like I had some of the best ball control I've had all season, maybe my whole career today, but I felt like I was kind of leaving a few out there in the middle of the round.

I think Mark a couple of weeks ago would have gotten pretty frustrated and turned a 64 into a 68. I just stayed really patient and just tried and kept hitting good shot after good shot and eventually the putts started going in.

THE MODERATOR: What's been the big difference you mentioned yesterday that's been a change of attitude? Is that something that kind of came naturally this week, or it was a goal where you have kind of set for this week?

MARK HUBBARD: No, it's not this week. I've been working really hard at it this year. It's been a lot of highs and lows in that regard. Yeah, like I said, I've been working hard, and I just feel like it's paying off.

I can't promise that it's going to be great tomorrow, and I can't promise that it's going to be great the rest of the year, but I know I'm going to keep trying to work on it, because I do feel like that was one of the things that was holding me back this year in particular.

I really do feel like my game has been a lot better than it's shown. If I can just control that tomorrow, I'll be in really good shape.

THE MODERATOR: What are some of those things you do to actively kind of stay positive or turn around quickly?

MARK HUBBARD: Yeah, I mean, honestly it sounds weird, but I feel like this is the first time in my life I've felt like it was okay to fail and mess up. It's kind of given me some relief.

I am someone who puts a ton of pressure on myself, and it's been too much this year to start. I'm just kind of giving myself some slack for the first time maybe ever.

THE MODERATOR: I guess with that, were you able to tomorrow in the final round have a sense of freedom versus maybe other times throughout your career?

MARK HUBBARD: Yeah, yeah, maybe. Hopefully. I mean, more than anything like I did today, I just -- I'm really excited for the opportunity and to be back where I feel like I belong, so I'm just going to try and enjoy that the best I can.

You know, golf is really hard, and it beats you down, but sometimes the nice thing about that is it kind of, you know, gives you some perspective that you don't necessarily have when you're just shooting 68, 69 every single round.

When you kind of feel like you're struggling and you have to kind of work your way back, like, it definitely makes you enjoy those moments that you take for granted a lot out here just because we play so much. I mean, I've been out here a long time. So, yeah, I'm just going to try my best and enjoy the opportunity tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: You really have been able to capitalize on the back nine here. What's been the differences between the two nines?

MARK HUBBARD: You know, I really can't put my finger on it. You guys keep asking me that. It's just kind of worked out that way. You know, I do like the back nine probably a little more, but you know, I like the front nine a lot too. It's just kind of happened that way.

THE MODERATOR: You mentioned I think hole 15 the crowd started to pick up. What's kind of been the crowd support? Saw you leaning in, giving some kids some high-fives.

MARK HUBBARD: Yeah, it's been great. Sometimes when we come into these smaller towns, they almost feel bigger because everybody comes out. I think like the John Deeres and places like that.

This town certainly has come out. It's a great golf city. Yeah, the support has been great out there.

Q. You addressed it some, but I think 274 start on tour. Still looking for the first one. I guess where will you find the belief tomorrow that this will be the week that you are going to be able to pull it out?

MARK HUBBARD: Yeah, I mean, I think a lot of it is not really worrying about that and putting that sort of pressure on myself. Obviously I want to win, but you know, I can't control it. Someone could come out and shoot 60 tomorrow.

I just have to keep doing what I've been doing all week, which is hitting really good iron shot after really good iron shot. For me when my irons are like this, this is when I play well. So I just have to keep at that and really not worry too much about the outcome. That's what I've done so well this week so far, and I'm not going to change it tomorrow.

Q. Of course, any time you're going to go low, it's generally putting is going to play a factor in it. Do you feel comfortable on these greens, and have you in the time that you've been here the entire time?

MARK HUBBARD: Yeah, I do. I feel like with it being a little softer and with the moisture and stuff, they're a little grainier than I remember. They're pretty grainy in some spots. So they do take a lot of patience, because you hit a lot of putts where you're, like, man, if I hit this one inch hard, I'm going to hit it through the break, and the grain is going to take it. If I hit it one inch too soft, the break is going to take it, and the grain is not going to hit it. They're really sensitive in that regard.

I feel like I hit a lot of putts today that probably on TV it looked like they were bad putts, and I felt like I hit them pretty good, and they missed the hole by a cup. I do like these greens, but they can fool you. So, yeah, I think patience is key.

THE MODERATOR: Final one, sent in from one of our fans, Kevin Price. On your Instagram bio you have, "Playing golf for a living is the dumbest thing I do, and that's saying something." What made you add that?

MARK HUBBARD: I was getting lots of whether from fake people or real people about being Nick Faldo's favorite golfer because he always makes fun of my short putter, so I took that off my bio.

Yeah, I mean, I'm kind of a goof ball off the course, and don't always make the best decisions, so I thought it was fitting.