Mackenzie Hughes Prevails in RSM Playoff for First Career Win

Mackenzie Hughes, of Canada, pumps his fist after sinking a par putt on the 17th hole during the playoff round at the RSM Classic golf tournament, Monday, Nov. 21, 2016, in St. Simons Island, Ga.

The final PGA Tour event of the year had to go one more day when a sudden-death playoff that began with five players lasted only two holes before it was too dark to continue at Sea Island.

Hughes recovered with birdies on the 13th, 15th and 16th holes to reach 16-under at the par-70 Seaside Course and push past fellow rookie Pan Cheng-Tsung of Taiwan (67) and veterans Camilo Villegas (64) and Billy Horschel (65).

Hughes started strong with a 16-foot birdie putt at the second hole and one twice as long at the par-3 third. Barber and Norlander both missed shorters putts than Hughes had to bow out.

First to go for his birdie was Norlander, but the 29-year-old finished a foot away.

“Standing there watch them all putt, I was way more nervous than when I was putting mine … because as each guy went down, it just became that much more real that it might happen”, Hughes said.

Now he can think about a trip to the Masters and said he had told his wife they would have an extra week in Hawaii when the PGA Tour picks up after Christmas. But Hughes’ chip on his second shot came up just short of the green, leaving him with a tricky putt from just off the fringe.

Norlander fired a final-round 65 while Barber shot 66, Villegas and Horschel each fired 68s and Hughes, seeking a wire-to-wire win, closed with a 69. He missed from 7 feet Monday.

Hughes has earned a $1.08 million payday and a fully-exempt status for two years.

“I probably sound like a really cheap person right now when I say that”. What followed was his most important shot of the week, a super pitch up a steep slope to a back pin to tap-in range to save par, and then three birdies over the next four holes. He will try to join Cody Gribble as PGA Tour rookies to win in the fall portion of the season, with one difference.

Darkness led to the RSM Classic being suspended with four players locked in a play-off for victory on Sunday.

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Those special qualities were on display since Thursday when Hughes shot the lights out with a nine-under-par 61 to take the early lead.