No One Benefits More from Jon Rahm Leaving than Mackenzie Hughes

After Mackenzie Hughes wrapped up his 2023 PGA Tour season, he was one agonizing spot off the top 50.

This meant one spot from guaranteed appearances at the eight signature events, and a huge payday, with all but one event flexing a $20 million purse.

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Once Jon Rahm signed the dotted line for LIV Golf, he became many millions of dollars richer. So too, did Canadian favorite Mackenzie Hughes.

Jon Rahm’s FedExCup spot melted away, and the line shifted forward one. This turned 51 to 50, and suddenly Hughes is eligible for the eight elevated events in 2024.

For the 2024 FedExCup Season, there are eight Signature Events with limited fields, no cuts after 36 holes, and huge purses. This means pretty good paydays for the guys teeing it up.

• The Sentry (Jan. 1-7)
• AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (Jan. 29-Feb. 4)
• The Genesis Invitational (Feb. 12-18)
• Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard (March 4-10)
• RBC Heritage (April 15-21)
• Wells Fargo Championship (which just lost the Wells Fargo sponsorship) (May 6-12)
• Memorial Tournament presented by Workday (June 3-9)
• Travelers Championship (June 17-23)

The news broke via @acaseofthegolf1 and it also means Carl Yuan moves into the top 125 in the FedEx Cup rankings, so keeps his PGA Tour card for next season.

The PGA Tour just sent this to their members. Announcing that Jon Rahm is officially suspended and everyone would move up one spot. Moving Mackenzie Hughes into the top 50.

And also announced the points for 2024 after “extensive modeling”. pic.twitter.com/COTQC0WmfW

— Monday Q Info (@acaseofthegolf1) December 11, 2023

The guy probably owes Jon Rahm a Christmas card.

The communication came from the PGA Tour and affects a multitude of players – shifting the goalposts and boundaries for not only Mackenzie Hughes and Carl Yuan, but other players in the 125-150 region of the FedEx rankings, who will claim conditional cards for next season.

Less than three weeks to go until the framework deal deadline, and the PGA Tour is looking to hang on to their remaining players during this time.

You can guarantee Mack Hughes is a lock-in right now!

Cover Image via X