PGA Tour player withdraws after finding kidney stones

Canadian golfer Mackenzie Hughes withdrew from this weeks designated event on the PGA TOUR citing illness, but provided details of his condition on Twitter last night.

The 32-year-old, who finished in a tie for 49th at Los Angeles Country Club last week, was on a flight from the U.S. Open to Connecticut for the Travelers Championship when he took a turn.

Hughes first noticed the issue in his lower back and after taking off, had to lie on the floor of the plane for the duration of the flight.

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The two-time PGA Tour winner was taken to hospital when the flight landed, and a CT scan soon revealed why he was suffering.

Hughes admitted he still hasn’t passed the 4-millimetre stone that doctors found, and after carding a six-over-par 76 on Thursday, decided to put his health first.

In a statement on Twitter, Hughes said: “Once we took off, though, the pain was unbearable. I went to the front of the plane and lay down on the floor, but nothing was helping.

Update on my WD from The Travelers pic.twitter.com/YA8zbb8dr6

— Mackenzie Hughes (@MacHughesGolf) June 22, 2023

“The pain was so bad it made me nauseous, and I started to throw up. I laid on the floor for the entirety of the 5-hour flight in pretty severe pain and throwing up. But I had no idea what it was.

“Unfortunately, I haven’t passed it yet, and I’m still dealing with lots of discomfort.”

Admirably, Hughes attempted to play at TPC River Highlands but was clearly burdened and therefore pulled out after the opening round of action.

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Denny McCarthy set the early pace in the hunt for the boosted prize purse, with a ten-under-par 60.

He came inches away from holing out for an eagle on his final hole to record a 59, but his round still left Hughes 16 shots adrift.

Hughes currently sits 38th in the FedEx Cup points list.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.