Mackenzie Hughes Parts Ways with Caddie Julien Trudeau Amid Struggles

Canadian golfer Mackenzie Hughes has decided to part ways with his caddie Julien Trudeau after a challenging start to the 2026 PGA Tour season. The announcement, reported by TSN's Bob Weeks, follows Hughes' second consecutive missed cut and his third in the last four events, notably at the Valero Texas Open. Hughes, who has not finished in the top 20 in any of his nine events this season, achieved his best result with a tie for 23rd at the Cognizant Classic in late February.

Canadian Hughes parts ways with caddie after three yearsNewsweek

This marks the second caddie change for Hughes in three years, having previously hired Trudeau to replace his former caddie. Hughes expressed the need for a fresh start, stating, "I just felt like I had just not really a great year and I was kind of looking to just – something fresh." He acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, highlighting the close relationship he had with Trudeau.

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Mackenzie Hughes, 35, from Hamilton, Ontario, has faced a tough season, making the cut in only five of his nine events. His performance has notably declined, with missed cuts in three of his last four tournaments, including the Players Championship in March. Hughes has struggled to qualify for the Masters for the third consecutive year, despite having made the cut in three of his four career appearances at the major, with a best finish of tied for 29th in 2023.

Canadian Hughes parts ways with caddie after three years

In previous seasons, Hughes demonstrated stronger performances, including two top-five finishes and four top-10 finishes in 2025, alongside a playoff loss to Ryan Fox at the Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic. His last victory on the PGA Tour was in 2022 at the Sanderson Farms Championship, and he also won the RSM Classic in 2016.

Canadian Hughes parts ways with caddie after three years

In discussing his decision to change caddies, Hughes emphasized the need for a new direction in his game. He remarked on the emotional difficulty of the decision, particularly given his close bond with Trudeau.

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While Hughes' decision reflects a desire for improvement, some analysts suggest that frequent caddie changes may not be the solution to performance issues. Critics argue that stability in the player-caddie relationship can be crucial for success on the tour.

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As Hughes moves forward without Trudeau, it remains to be seen how this change will impact his performance in upcoming tournaments. The golfer will need to regroup and refocus as he prepares for the remainder of the season, aiming to regain his competitive edge and secure better finishes in future events.

Newsweek