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Mackenzie Hughes Gets Bad Bounce, Worse Break at U.S. Open

Canadian's tee shot at the par-3 11th became stuck in a tree, which led to a double bogey and dropped him from contention at Torrey Pines.

Mike Purkey

Mackenzie Hughes Gets Bad Bounce, Worse Break at U.S. Open
Mackenzie Hughes Gets Bad Bounce, Worse Break at U.S. Open /

After playing his way into contention on the back nine, Mackenzie Hughes’ chances at the U.S. Open title took an unfortunate bounce Sunday afternoon -- straight into the branches of a tree. Hughes, who was 4 under and two shots behind fellow competitor Louis Oosthuizen, severely pulled his tee shot at the par-3 11th. The ball slammed onto the cart path and took a high bounce into a tree .. and never came out.

After cameras identified the ball as belonging to Hughes, he was forced to take a drop directly underneath where the ball was lodged. He incurred a one-stroke penalty under the rules for a lost ball. The drop came to rest on a cart path, which led to Hughes getting free relief from the path, lying three.

He wedged his third shot onto the green and nearly made about a 25-footer for bogey. The double-bogey 5 dropped Hughes to 2-under for the championship and three behind Oosthuizen, who made bogey on the 11th to fall to 5-under.

Hughes made three more bogeys coming home and tied for 15th place in the tournament. 

More Final-Round Coverage From 2021 U.S. Open:

- Rahm wins U.S. Open for First Major Title, by Gary Van Sickle
- How Rahm Finally Learned to Keep His Cool, by Michael Rosenberg
- Daily Question: Which Contender Should Feel Worst About Missed Opportunity?
- How Much Did Luck Play a Role on Sunday? by Alex Miceli
- Phil Mickelson Slumps on Weekend, Now 0-for-30 at U.S. Open, by Mike Purkey
- Mackenzie Hughes Gets Bad Bounce, Worse Break, by Mike Purkey
- Sights and Scenes From Final Round
- Olympic Qualifying Complete, but Top Players Mixed on Participation

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Mike Purkey
MIKE PURKEY

Purkey has been writing about all things golf for more than 30 years, working at the highest level at publications such as Golf Magazine and Global Golf Post. He is an avid golfer, with a handicap too low for his ability. Purkey lives in Charlotte, N.C.

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