54-hole co-leader Mackenzie Hughes and caddie, Jace Walker, ready for U.S. Open final round
By Garrett Johnston ยท June 20, 2021
Saturday at the U.S. Open saw some exciting moments throughout, and Mackenzie Hughes shot a 3-under 68 punctuated with the eagle putt from the back of the 13th green (like Tiger in 2008โs third round) to vault into todayโs final group at 5 under.
Hughes shares the 54-hole lead at Torrey Pines with Louis Oosthuizen and Russell Henley โ two shots clear of Rory McIlroy and defending champ Bryson DeChambeau.
โThat eagle putt on 13 was kind of the big boost that got us fired up,โ Hughesโ caddie, Jace Walker said. โWhen those moments happen it almost feels like youโre playing again (Walker played professionally for a few years). Youโre so into the moment, youโre so into the putt, you just want him to do well. How loud the crowd was, it gives you chills when stuff like that happens. He hit a great putt and it was pretty electric out there when that thing went in.โ
Well that looks familiarโฆ๐ค@MacHughesGolf | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/NdJ2YRyvCk
โ U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 19, 2021
Walker had a great time in the third round U.S. Open atmosphere all day, and he was happy with his playerโs consistent play.
MORE: U.S. Open player/caddie pairs
โIt was amazing out there (Saturday), it was probably one of the funnest days Iโve had caddying,โ Walker said. โHe played obviously amazing and heโs got a chance to win the U.S. Open, so itโs kind of exciting. I like how he handled himself, like nothing bothered him. He just stayed very composed and confident the whole day.โ
Todayโs final round and final grouping will be the biggest moment of Hughes and Walkerโs careers without a doubt, and Walker is excited for the challenge it will bring.
โYeah, Iโm very excited, and Mackenzieโs confident right now, heโs swinging it so well that I canโt wait to get to the first tee,โ Walker said. โI wish we could just keep playing. I know heโs going to bring that same attitude and that confidence and weโll see what we can do.โ
So how does his player seem with the situation ahead of him today?
โHeโs confident, heโs more comfortable trying to win a tournament than trying to make a cut,โ Walker said. โThe closer he is to the lead, the better he is. Some guys are the opposite. But Iโve known Mackenzie 15 years and in the biggest moments he actually gets better, so Iโm looking forward to it.โ
Hughes and Walker will be in the final pairing with major champion Oosthuizen, and Walker likes that position for his player.
โWeโd rather be there than anywhere else. Itโs nice. Weโll get to all of the shots in front of us. Itโs obviously where you want to be, and I think Mackenize would say the same thing,โ Walker said.
Walker knows Hughes has missed his last five cuts, but says heโs dedicated with his swing coach Ralph Bauer to hitting his natural fade again.
Walker looks forward to having breakfast with mentor Brennan Little (Gary Woodlandโs caddie) who understands what itโs like to be in a final U.S. Open pairing.
Walker also talked with his dad, Doug, last night by phone just to talk through what heโs about to get into.
A big moment ahead for Hughes and Walker.
