@MizzouMensGolf Alum Hayden Buckley Set for First Career PGA Tour Start
10/23/2018 5:10:00 PM | Men's Golf
Buckley starts play at the Sanderson Farms Championship on Thursday
Jackson, Miss. - After a historic collegiate golf career, former Mizzou golfer Hayden Buckley earned his first career PGA Tour start this weekend at the Sanderson Farms Championship (Oct.25-Oct.28) in his home state of Mississippi. Buckley received a sponsor's exemption into the event, which is played at the Country Club of Jackson located in Jackson, Mississippi.
Buckley tees off at the PGA tournament on Thursday with tee times beginning at 7:15 a.m. CT. The Sanderson Farms Championship will air on the Golf Channel.
"The preparation for this event is no different than that of a college tournament or some amateur event," Buckley said. "I'm staying true to my practice schedules and the little things I do each week to prepare."
Buckley was a 2018 PING Third Team All-American after a legendary senior campaign at Mizzou. The Belden, Mississippi, native took home four individual tournament titles in his final season as a Tiger, finishing in the Top-10 five times and boasting a 69.53 scoring average, the best in the Southeastern Conference.
Buckley capped his collegiate career with First Team All-SEC recognition and Mizzou 2018 Male Athlete of the Year honors. His senior season was highlighted by a school-record round of 61 at the Warrior Invitational in Hawaii.
Entering his first career PGA Tour event, Buckley plans to trust his hard work and stay focused.
"For me, it's simply just about committing to every single shot," Buckley said. "I want to be able to walk away from the golf course knowing I gave every shot all of my focus and that I believed in what I was doing. At that point there really isn't much more I can do other than rely on the preparation that I've done for so long now."
For updates on Buckley throughout the Sanderson Farms Championship and to stay up to date on all things Mizzou Men's Golf, stay tuned to MUTigers.com and follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @MizzouMensGolf.
