ST. SIMMONS ISLAND, Ga. – In the sweltering heat of August, Mackenzie Hughes reflected on her suddenly uncertain professional future.
“Are you going to start drinking now or later?” he asked reporters after Canada’s final round at the FedEx St. Jude Championship.
“Probably now. Yeah,” Hughes shrugged. “Actually, that’s probably a good idea. I didn’t think about it, but it’s probably a great idea. Have four or five beers, relax, and see what happens.”
Hughes had just made bogey on No. 17.th Falling into a tie for 58th on the hole at TPC Southwindth and was projected 51cent On the playoff points list (down from 47th), he became the first man to make it out of next year’s signature event, the Promised Land.
For comparison, Hughes finished in 51st place, just 28 points behind 50th place. That means players in the top 50 will struggle to keep pace next year as they compete in marquee events for dramatically higher prize money and, more importantly, more prize money. It’s going to happen. FedEx Cup points.
But this week’s final official event of the year, the RSM Classic, will see some redemption for Hughes. Hughes is poised to remain in the next 10 thanks to a hard fall and a ferocious Saturday that left him inches away from a course-record 59th place. The Next 10 is a category of 51st to 60th place on the tour points list, where you can finish in the top two. His three signature events first this year.
The start of the 2024 PGA Tour card and autograph event will be finalized this week.
“A win would definitely lift some of the blues. Well, just being able to end this year on a good note is great for momentum heading into next year. I feel like I was able to participate in many events. If I keep playing like this, I think I’ll have a chance to participate in many more events. It’s not fun to be on the outside looking in at the moment.” Difference Hughes said. Third round leader Ludwig Oberg. “Obviously, I’m in a much better place than I was in Memphis earlier this year.”
There will be plenty of other players vying for similar redemption Sunday at the Sea Island (Ga.) resort, as the season’s races ultimately boil down to an 18-hole sprint.
- After three rounds, Oberg is the only player expected to break into the top 60 and secure a valuable marquee start next year.The Swede is expected to move on from the age of 96.th Fall point list goes up to 54th placeth Thanks to rounds of 67-64-61. 59th place JJ Spawn tied for 30th placeth It is expected to fall outside the top 60.
Alex Nolen finished the third round with a 64, just above that threshold, and is projected to move from 64th to 61st.th. “You can see that by looking at the leaderboard for any hole,” Nolen admitted. “My mindset is just to improve my game.”
- Even more pressing for most players is a top-125 ranking that would secure full status in 2024.Ryan Moore is currently tied for 8th place and is expected to move up from 128th to 120th.th.Troy Merritt, who did not participate, will drop from 123rd place.rd Go to No.126.
“It’s impossible not to be.” [on his mind]” Moore said of the Top 125 bubble. “I don’t like to stray from that number, but at the same time I’m trying to go win golf tournaments first and foremost and I’ve been able to put myself in a position where that’s achievable again, right? That’s my focus. is.”
- And finally, the top 150 who will be granted conditional status next year. Two players (Vince Whaley and Kevin Tway) are expected to finish in the top 150, while Webb Simpson and Paul Haley II are expected to drop out.