Hubbard continues best year on Tour

Near-win puts earnings close to $3 million for the year

by Jim Bebbington

Colorado native Mark Hubbard continued his strong 2023 season on the PGA Tour with a near-miss of winning his first tournament last Sunday at the Sanderson Farms Championship.

Hubbard went to the 17th tee box on Sunday steaming hot – coming off a birdie, eagle, birdie stretch. He stood at 19-under, a score which would have won the tournament outright if it had held. But he bogeyed 17 and 18, and missed by one stroke a five-man group that had to go to extra holes to determine the victor.

Luke List, a 15-year pro, won by birdieing the first playoff hole.

Hubbard carded a T-6 and brought home $276,000. It was his third T-6 of what has turned out to be his best year yet since turning pro in 2012.

“Weird day, weird week,” he said after Sunday’s round. “A ton of positives, ton of sloppy negatives. I bogeyed 10 to start the week and birdied 11 and just it was kind of like that the whole way, just back and forth. I’m obviously very annoyed and bummed about the last two holes, but also that’s as good as I’ve maybe ever played out here to get myself in a position to have those two holes. A lot of mixed emotions. It’s going to take a couple days to kind of figure out what to take away from this week.”

Hubbard told Colorado AvidGolfer in July that he had changed coaches early this season and was pleased he had seen some success come from it. He has had six top-10 finishes this season and made the cut in 20 tournaments.

The fall PGA Tour season is for players to cement or improve their standings in the FedEx points list, which affect their 2024 options. The top 50 in the FedEx points after the championship in September cannot earn any additional points. The players past No. 50, however, earn Fall FedEx points depending on how they play in the fall season.

Hubbard, in an email Tuesday, said his status for 2024 is largely set, which is a relief, but he’s working to stay in contention to play in the first two 2024 elevated events at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club.

“There is still some pressure because I really love those events and they are huge purses with more FedEx cup points,” he wrote. “That being said, I also have job security for next year locked up so it has felt a little different playing in the two fall events so far knowing I have nothing to lose. That freedom to just go out and try and win has definitely been a positive so far.”

He said after Sunday’s rounds that he’s still getting used to being in his current situation.

“I’ve never been in this position before where I’m not fighting for my job,” he said. “It’s going to be my eighth season out here, and every single one I’m just fighting for my kids’ college and just to be able to pay my mortgage and stuff. It’s kind of nice to be able to play some events, see how the other side lives, and just kind of go out and try and win every week rather than grinding.”

Hubbard grew up in Denver and he and his wife, Meghan, are raising two daughters.

Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com. Contact Jim Bebbington at [email protected]

Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

Contact Jim Bebbington at [email protected]

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