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2021 RSM Classic: Top 10 power rankings at Sea Island

By Mike Randleman

Sep 26, 2021; Haven, Wisconsin, USA; Team USA player Harris English plays his shot from the fourth tee during day three singles rounds for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2021; Haven, Wisconsin, USA; Team USA player Harris English plays his shot from the fourth tee during day three singles rounds for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 1, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) hits on the twelfth hole during the final round of the men’s individual stroke play of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2021; Tokyo, Japan; Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) hits on the twelfth hole during the final round of the men’s individual stroke play of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

How’s a win for a tournament debut?

That’s just what Mackenzie Hughes pulled off at the 2016 RSM Classic. The Canadian shot 61-67-68-69 to get into a five-man playoff that stretched into Monday.

He survived to win in his ninth career PGA Tour start and fifth of his rookie season.

“The Seaside course kind of has some bigger fairways when there’s not any wind blowing, but when the wind’s blowing, you’ve got those crosswinds going, the fairways seem kind of small,” Hughes was transcribed in 2017 by Tee Scripts. “The golf courses are awesome. They’re both kind of different styles. I think the Seaside’s more, I don’t want to say linksy but it has that linksy feel to it, and the Plantation’s a bit more tree-lined.”

That still remains his lone career PGA Tour win. Nonetheless, he’s playing some of the best golf of his career lately.

Hughes climbed into the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings for the first time after finishing T-4th last month at the Zozo Championship.

The Kent State alumna followed it up last week with T-29th at the Houston Open. It was Hughes’ eighth straight made cut and third straight top-30.

The 30-year-old finished eighth in the field in strokes gained around the green (3.695), a good harbinger for the test ahead at Sea Island.

Hughes was 15th on the PGA Tour last season in SG putting (.483).

He hasn’t yet been able to replicate his first-time success at the RSM Classic, but I see his fine form getting him back in the top 10 at the venue that sprung his career.

Plus, Hughes is not yet exempt into the Masters. Top 50 in the world rankings by year’s end get an invite. He’s right on the bubble at No. 50, so earning some ranking points is paramount.

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