Well Played
Presidents Cup 2024: Mackenzie Hughes chugs beer on first tee, Internationals lead before hitting a single shot
The Internationals grabbed an early advantage on Thursday at the Presidents Cup. And it didn't require hitting one golf shot.
Instead, Mackenzie Hughes went to the middle of the first tee at Royal Montreal and . . . chugged a beer.
OK, so the Canadian isn't playing on Day 1, but he found another way to contribute by firing up the home crowd. Now that's a team player.
What a start. What a power move. Here's a different angle:
If we're being picky, it looks like there was a significant amount of spillage. But the crowd certainly didn't care. And it was a big boy 16-ounce can of Stella so that's a lot of liquid to get down. Wait, Stella? And not a Canadian beer like Labatt Blue or Molson? Weird.
Anyway, the scene was reminiscent of the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, where Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger chugged beers on the first tee. The difference is that they did that on a Saturday afternoon. With their team comfortably ahead, 9-3.
But maybe this is exactly the kind of spark the Internationals need to end a 26-year winless streak. Maybe this will be the moment that turns this biennial event in their favor. Unlike all these other moments that we thought could change the course of golf history.
In any event, the 2024 Presidents Cup is officially underway. And Mackenzie Hughes is unofficially the International Team's MVP already.