Mackenzie Hughes made two bogeys and four birdies for a 2-under 69 in the second round of the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic to retain a share of the lead at 10-under. He ranks first in Strokes Gained: Putting (5.858).
“When we started out, our first nine holes certainly and some of the back nine holes as well. I mean, it was blowing pretty good out there. I thought it was playing quite tricky,” said the Canadian.
“It just wasn’t the same day. I didn’t feel like I was swinging the same way I did yesterday. I felt like I was not quite on. Still a nice job of managing my game, staying patient. Got to of kind of a slow start and kind of built it up there towards the end. Got myself in a good spot.
“I would like to have played better today. Maybe gotten out in front a little more. I’m in a good spot going into the weekend. There’s a bunch of guys there with a chance. Nothing changes tomorrow. Just keep doing my thing and see where it puts me.”
Hughes holds his fourth career 36-hole lead/co-lead on the PGA Tour and is currently 2-for-3 in converting to victory (2016 RSM Classic, 2022 Sanderson Farms Championship).
He has won twice on Tour, at the 2016 RSM Classic and the 2022 Sanderson Farms Championship and is No. 47 in the 2025 FedExCup standings, the highest ranking of any player in the field.
Cristobal Del Solar also made a pair of bogeys and carded a 67 to join Hughes in the lead. He ranks second in Strokes Gained: Putting (5.183).
“I’ve been putting in the work, playing good golf, feeling more comfortable. Yeah, I mean, happy to be where I am,” said the Chilean.
“Kind of at the beginning of the year [my game] wasn’t really the one I kind of wanted, but you know, it’s kind of learning, working with my coaches in the right areas. Iron play, off the tee, a little bit of everything.
“It’s just a matter of kind of clicking everything together. Every day it feels closer and closer, so I’m happy about that.”
The PGA Tour rookie holds his first ever lead/co-lead on Tour in his 31st career round. In twelve starts this season, he has finished once in the top-25, T12 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and made four cuts.
Del Solar earned PGA Tour membership by finishing No. 14 on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Points List, becoming the third Chilean to earn a Tour card via the Korn Ferry Tour (Benjamin Alvarado/2013, Mito Pereira/2020-21).
He recorded the lowest 18-hole score in the history of PGA Tour-sanctioned events with a 13-under 57 in the first round of the 2024 Astara Golf Championship (finished solo fifth).
In his 499th career start and fifth this season, Nick Watney sits one shot off the lead after two rounds, in an American five-way tie for third place at 9-under. He sits inside the top 10 after 36 holes for the first time since the 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship (T1/finished T2).
