Mark Hubbard with late surge of birdies takes one-shot lead at Myrtle Beach Classic
MYRTLE BEACH, S. C. (AP) — Mark Hubbard birdied four of his last five holes Saturday for a 7-under 64, giving him a one-shot lead in the Myrtle Beach Classic as he goes for his first PGA Tour title and a chance to qualify for the PGA Championship next week.
Hubbard's late run of birdies, before he settled for a par on the closing hole at Dunes Golf and Beach Club, capped a day of low scoring with several players jockeying for the lead. When it ended, eight players were within five shots of Hubbard, a group that included Brooks Koepka (64) and 45-year-old Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker (67). Hubbard was at 16-under 197, one shot ahead of Aaron Rai, who birdied four straight holes to start the back nine and closed with five straight pars for a 66.
This is Hubbard's 274th start on the PGA Tour. His best result was a runner-up finish in the Houston Open when it was held in the fall in 2019. More than any shot or putt, he has attributed his work this week mainly to a good attitude.
“I felt like I had some of the best ball control I’ve had all season, maybe my whole career today, but I felt like I was kind of leaving a few out there in the middle of the round,” Hubbard said. “I think Mark a couple of weeks ago would have gotten pretty frustrated and turned a 64 into a 68,” he said. “I just stayed really patient and just tried and kept hitting good shot after good shot and eventually the putts started going in.
” Koepka, with his best chance at winning since returning to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf, began the day out of the top 20 and at least gave himself a chance, five shots behind in a tie for eighth. “If I can continue to do what I did today as far as ball-striking, which I feel like I’ve done over the past three months, it’s just a matter of getting that putter heated up,” Koepka said. “I feel like I’m striking it as good as I ever have, driving it as good as I ever have.