Mackenzie Hughes entered moving day at the U.S. Open 2 under par and three shots off the lead. At the end of 18 holes, he was sitting pretty for the final twirl around the South Course at Torrey Pines. Hughes was tied atop the leaderboard at 5 under with Louis Oosthuizen and Russell Henley and will be in the final pairing Sunday.
Hughes, 30, kicked off his third round with a 1-over front nine but made a big move on the back side. After a birdie on 11, he sank a 63-foot eagle putt on the par-5 13th hole.
BOOM 👊
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) June 19, 2021
Mackenzie Hughes from long range to move into solo-second! pic.twitter.com/jjIGMpFFq4
It was a shot many have compared to the one Tiger Woods made in the third round at Torrey Pines back in 2008. And, yes, Woods won that U.S. Open, although he did it in sudden death after an 18-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate.
Mackenzie Hughes ➡️ Tiger Woods
— Lukas Weese (@Weesesports) June 19, 2021
Both made eagles on the par-5 13th at Torrey Pines, 13 years a part. #USOpen #USOpengolf pic.twitter.com/MRaJyD08dX
After playing the next four holes at even par, he birdied the par-5 18th for a 3-under 68.
Dundas native Mackenzie Hughes finishes a stellar third round at the #USOpen with a birdie to co-lead the tournament at five under par — his first career major 18 holes away.
— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) June 20, 2021
The Canadian pays +750 to win @BodogCA 🇨🇦 🏆 https://t.co/L1ux5ZCHKTpic.twitter.com/0oagfFLqYb
The Dundas, Ont., native could become the first Canadian man — and only the second overall — to win a major since Mike Weir won the Masters in 2003. It won't be easy, however. Sitting not too far off the top are the likes of Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau (both 3 under), Jon Rahm (2 under) and Dustin Johnson (1 under).
Fellow Canadian Adam Hadwin is 4 over. Corey Conners and Tyler Pendrith missed the cut.