Mackenzie Hughes Facts: 20 Things To Know About The Canadian PGA Tour Golfer

Mackenzie Hughes has been a member of the PGA Tour since 2016 - here are some things you may not know about him

Mackenzie Hughes of Canada looks on prior to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Mackenzie Hughes has been a consistent performer on the PGA Tour since gaining his card in 2016. In that time, he has gone on to record two wins and has earned more than $17 million in prize money.

Get to know Hughes a little better here with these 20 facts.

Mackenzie Hughes Facts:

1. Mackenzie Hughes was born on 23rd November 1990 in Ontario, Canada. 

2. Hughes got into golf at the age of seven when his parents brought him along to the driving range instead of hiring a babysitter.

3. The Canadian is a graduate of Kent State University where he studied business management.

4. At Kent State, Hughes played on the same golf team with fellow Canadian PGA Tour pros, Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners.

5. When he was younger, his dream was to play in the NHL.

6. Hughes was the No.1 Canadian amateur in 2011, and won the 2011 and 2012 Canadian Amateur Championship.

7. He was a standard bearer in Mike Weir's group at the 2004 RBC Canadian Open, shortly after Weir won the Masters.

8. Turning professional in 2012, Hughes claimed his first win on the PGA Tour Canada in 2013 at the Cape Breton Celtic Classic.

9. Hughes is a huge sports fan, with his favorite teams being the Toronto Maple Leafs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Carolina Panthers and the Toronto Blue Jays.

10. The Canadian earned his PGA Tour card in 2016 after winning the Price Cutter Charity Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour.

11. Hughes has been married to his wife, Jenna, since October 2016. The couple have two sons: Kenton and Cohen.

12. In only his fifth start on the PGA Tour, Hughes won the RSM Classic, in the process, he also became the first player in Tour history to win on the PGA Tour Canada, Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA Tour.

Mackenzie Hughes lifting a trophy after winning the 2016 RSM Classic


(Image credit: Getty Images)

13. Hughes has recorded one top ten in a Major, finishing T6 at the 2021 Open Championship – the best-ever finish for a Canadian at The Open.

14. In October 2022, Hughes won his second PGA Tour title after a playoff win over Sepp Straka at the Sanderson Farms Championship. 

15. Hughes represented Canada at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, finishing 50th. 

16. His career-high world ranking is 39th which he has achieved on two occasions – in  November 2020 and December 2022. 

17. Hughes has one of the best short games on the PGA Tour, and finished the 2024 season in the top five in both strokes gained putting and around the green. 

18. His life motto is: "Success is never owned. It is rented, and the rent is due everyday."

19. He was named on the international team for the 2024 Presidents Cup.

20. Both of his PGA Tour victories came via a playoff, first beating Blayne Barner, Billy Horchel, Henrik Norlander and Camilo Villegas to win the 2016 RSM Classic, then claiming the 2022 Sanderson Farms Championship by triumphing over Sepp Straka in extra holes. 

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Mackenzie Hughes bio
Full nameMackenzie Robert Hughes
BornNovember 23, 1990, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
ResidesCharlotte, North Carolina
Height6'1"
Turned pro2012 (age 22)
Current tourPGA Tour
PGA Tour wins2
PGA Tour earnings$17.6m
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Mackenzie Hughes wins
EventTourScore
2013 Cape Breton Celtic ClassicPGA Tour Canada-17
2016 Price Cutter Charity ChampionshipKorn Ferry Tour-17
2016 RSM ClassicPGA Tour-24
2022 Sanderson Farms ChampionshipPGA Tour-14
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Mackenzie Hughes career earnings PGA Tour
YearMoney
2017$2,355,553
2018$518,476
2019$1,022,081
2020$2,079,951
2021$1,845,824
2022$2,276,212
2023$4,318,591
2024$3,213,408

How far does Mackenzie Hughes hit the ball?

Mackenzie Hughes hits driver at the 2024 Farmers Insurance Open

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Hughes is about average when it comes to driving distance on the PGA Tour. He has averaged just under 300 yards in recent seasons. He is more known for his putting and accuracy around the greens.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.

Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.

Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

With contributions from