ARDMORE, Pennsylvania -- Mackenzie Hughes is, by any standard, a tremendous golfer. Martin St.Louis Rangers Jersey . He has a long list of accomplishments including winning the last two Canadian Amateurs. This week, hes playing in the U.S. Open, his first major of what should be many. And yet, he almost didnt make it here to Merion. Certainly there were a handful of breaks coupled with great play that got him into the field. He was an alternate after his local qualifying and made it into the sectional only after Jay Haas withdrew. He also had to go extra holes in order to secure his spot in this event. That was tough, to be sure. But what almost derailed his Open chances was money. In spite of being one of the top amateur golfers this country has produced in recent years, Hughes has struggled to raise funds to support his start as a pro. So when he got the call from the United States Golf Association telling him he had a spot in the sectional qualifier, Hughes had to do some juggling, trying to adjust arrangements hed made to get to Victoria to play the first PGA Tour Canada stop. Not so much with the timetable, but with the bank account. "I was still thinking about the cost as I was planning my trip [to the sectional in St. Louis]," Hughes admitted. "I was wondering how much it was going to cost me to change my flight, how much was the rental car going to cost." After making his decision to turn professional, Hughes learned what many others before him have found: its not easy to get financial support early in your career. Hughes ended up trying an old method of raising dollars by selling shares in himself. Over the years, many pros have used this to launch their careers. He put up 25 tickets at $5,000 each but wasnt able to sell all of those. So now he finds himself not exactly struggling, but definitely watching the bottom line at every stop. "Whenever Im travelling Im looking for the cheapest hotel," Hughes admitted. "I still want to be comfortable, but Im still trying to save where I can ... share rooms, get cheaper cars where I can, host families ... whenever I can save money Ill try." Oh, and did you know that rental car companies charge an extra $25 a day if youre under 25? That rental car in St. Louis cost him $185 for two days. Its just one of the things that Hughes is learning as he embarks on his new career. "Thats just the way it is right now," said Hughes. "Im 22, Im doing everything for the first time, renting a car for the first time, so Im learning, but its getting there." This week at the Open, Hughes is living large. He was given a Lexus to drive and is gorging himself with the free food in the clubhouse. He also has his choice of new clubs from the folks in the PING truck. "Ya, the car is nice," he smiled. "We dont get that on PGA Tour Canada or any of the other mini-tours. "Players are treated like something else. Its not like a regular week, thats for sure." Hughes might be a touch disappointed with the lack of support but he is not lamenting his place at the moment. Hes focused on his game, knowing well that the quickest way to remedy his troubles is with low numbers. Unfortunately, hes not alone. Find a young professional on PGA Tour Canada or a mini-tour somewhere and youll find a golfer without much in the bank account. Ryan McDonagh Authentic Jersey . -- A year ago, Flavia Pennetta was close to retiring from tennis. Henrik Lundqvist Rangers Jersey . - The Colorado Rapids say theyve received a first-round 2015 MLS SuperDraft pick, allocation money and a contract buyout from FC Dallas as compensation for coach Oscar Parejas leaving to take the same job with his former club.WEST BROMWICH, England -- Liverpool missed a chance to strengthen its place in the Premier Leagues top four on Sunday when Kolo Toure gifted West Bromwich Albion an equalizer in a 1-1 draw. Liverpool took the lead against the run of play when Luis Suarez set up Daniel Sturridge to poke the ball into the net in the 24th minute. But the winning position was thrown away in the 67th when Toures slack cross-field clearance went straight to Victor Anichebe, who levelled with a low shot from a central position. "Sometimes in the past I might have switched off," Anichebe said. "But today I was ready, especially against Liverpool. I was there and I finished it." The draw pushed West Brom a point clear of the relegation zone. Liverpool is fourth, three points behind Chelsea, which is at leader Manchester City on Monday. Sturridges 50th career league goal -- and his 24th in 30 games for Liverpool -- in a disjointed firrst-half performance had put his team on course to retain a four-point cushion over Everton. Mats Zuccarello Authentic Jersey. But the draw will gave more ammunition to the critics who felt Liverpool should have strengthened in the transfer window to enhance its bid to regain Champions League football. But it was not the absence of Ukraine winger Yehven Konoplyanka, whose proposed move to Anfield broke down in final hours of the January transfer window, which ultimately cost them points but a lack of resources at the back. Toure is only playing because Daniel Agger and Mamadou Sakho are injured, but manager Brendan Rodgers insisted defensive reinforcements were not his priority. 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