Hughes may be what International team needs

Weir likes the Canadian's short game and feels he can make a difference in big moments

- JOHN CHIDLEY-HILL

Mackenzie Hughes joins Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners as captain's picks on the 12-player International team.

Mackenzie Hughes might just be what the International team needs as this year's Presidents Cup.

Hughes, from Dundas, Ont., is one of three Canadians competing in the match-play event at Royal Montreal Golf Club next week. His putting skills, cool demeanour under pressure, pre-existing connections with teammates and clubhouse leadership could help the team end a nine-tournament losing skid to the United States at the biennial event.

"I've had this one circled on the calendar for a few years now," said Hughes, who joins Canadians Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners as captain's picks on the 12-player International team. "To get that call from (Weir) is really special because he's the guy that I looked up to, we all looked up to, as Canadian golfers."