The reason why this PGA Tour pro withdrew from Travelers will make you wince

Mackenzie Hughes has revealed the reason behind his withdrawal at this week's Travelers Championship, and it sounds brutal.

The Canadian was originally scheduled to be playing in this week's PGA Tour event - a designated tournament this year - following last week's conclusion of the US Open.

Hughes, who won the Sanderson Farms Championship earlier this season, had finished tied for 49th at the major championship at Los Angeles Country Club.

He then boarded the charter to Connecticut for this week's tournament.

In the first round on Thursday, Hughes struggled through TPC River Highlands on his way to carding a 6-over par 76. Afterwards, it was announced that he had withdrawn from the tournament.

A few hours later, however, a statement was posted to the 32-year-old's Twitter, explaining the reasoning behind his first round withdrawal. 

As it turns out, the Hamilton, Ont., product had been suffering from a painful kidney stone since the charter on Monday morning.

It created a nightmare plane ride for the World No. 68, who detailed the past few days in the tweet.

"On our charter from the US Open to the Travelers Monday morning, I felt a bit of discomfort in my lower right back," Hughes wrote. "Once we took off though, the pain was unbearable. I went to the front of the plane and laid down on the floor, but nothing was helping. The pain was so bad it made me nauseous and I started to throw up. I laid on the floor for the entirety of the 5 hour flight in pretty severe pain and throwing up. But I had no idea what it was."

He added:

Here's the full post:

Update on my WD from The Travelers pic.twitter.com/YA8zbb8dr6

— Mackenzie Hughes (@MacHughesGolf) June 22, 2023

Hughes' win earlier this season marked the second of his PGA Tour career.

He's also one of four Canadians to win on the PGA Tour this season, a new all-time single-season record for the country after B.C.'s Nick Taylor won the RBC Canadian Open at the start of the month.

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