Mackenzie Hughes moved by University of the Southwest fatal accident, will donate $500 for each birdie at the Valspar Championship

Mackenzie Hughes, competing in the Valspar Championship this week, said it was “heartbreaking to hear news” of Tuesday’s fatal automobile crash that killed nine people, including six members of the University of the Southwest golf teams as well as the coach. Two people in the other vehicle involved in the head-on collision were also killed.

Two other members of the men’s golf team, Dayton Price and Hayden Underhill, both from Ontario, Canada, survived the crash and were taken to hospitals and were reported to be in critical condition.

Hughes is also from Canada. After his first round Thursday about 1,400 miles away in Palm Harbor, Florida, Hughes posted a message of condolence on Twitter while also offering to help the victims and families of the crash.

So heartbreaking to hear the news from Texas. There are a couple of fundraisers set up to help these two families. I’ll be donating $500 per birdie starting tomorrow to help. Donate if you can.@PGATOUR https://t.co/EnNsTmFaf9

— Mackenzie Hughes (@MacHughesGolf) March 18, 2022

The private, Christian University of the Southwest is located in Hobbs, New Mexico, a small town near the Texas border. The accident occurred in Texas after the teams had competed in a tournament in Midland, Texas.

Hughes shot an even-par 71 Thursday. His round included four birdies.