“Golf Is Really Hard,” Mark Hubbard Gets Candid Ahead of First PGA Tour Win Chance
LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 31: Mark Hubbard plays his shot from the South course seventh tee during the Farmers Insurance Open on January 31, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, CA. Photo by Karl Anderson/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JAN 31 PGA, Golf Herren Farmers Insurance Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon272260131200
LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 31: Mark Hubbard plays his shot from the South course seventh tee during the Farmers Insurance Open on January 31, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, CA. Photo by Karl Anderson/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JAN 31 PGA, Golf Herren Farmers Insurance Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon272260131200
Mark Hubbard holds the solo lead at the Myrtle Beach Classic after a stellar performance in South Carolina. The 15-year veteran is now on the brink of capturing his first career victory on the PGA TOUR.
Hubbard's rise to the top of the leaderboard follows a significant shift in his mental approach to professional golf. He recently opened up about the self-imposed expectations that have historically hindered his performance on the course.
"Golf is really hard, and it beats you down," Hubbard candidly remarked during his surge toward the top of the pack.
The admission marks a shift from the heavy professional standards he previously placed on himself.
During a post-round presser, Hubbard reflected on his personality and the self-description in his Instagram bio.
He shared, "I'm kind of a goofball off the course, and don't always make the best decisions," explaining that he is finally giving himself some slack.
This self-awareness led to a breakthrough in how he handles the stress of competition. He admitted, "Honestly, it sounds weird, but I feel like this is the first time in my life I've felt like it was okay to fail and mess up."
By embracing this mindset, Hubbard has found relief that was missing earlier this year. He said he had been putting a lot of pressure on himself, and it became too much to handle at the start of the season.
Searching for a Breakthrough After 274 Starts
After opening with rounds of 66, 67, and 64, Hubbard heads into Sunday at 16-under par with a one-shot advantage. His third round included a late charge, as he picked up four birdies across his final five holes for a 7-under 64.
His performances during the season have also been filled with struggles. Before the Myrtle Beach Classic, his best finish in 2026 was a T23 at the Cognizant Classic.
Consistency has also been an issue, with Hubbard missing six cuts in 11 tournaments played, including exits at THE PLAYERS Championship and the WM Phoenix Open.
With this being his 274th appearance, Hubbard now looks to achieve something that has eluded him for 15 years. Currently, he ranks second among active players with the most PGA TOUR appearances without a win.
However, winning the championship on Sunday would give Hubbard the chance to lift his first trophy and end one of the longest dry spells in the sport right now.
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Written by
Abhishek Sharma
Edited by
Pulkit Prabhav