The Official Site of Hunter Mahan

Wed, Apr 15th 2009, 11:17

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HUNTER MAHAN figures after his experiences at the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, there’s no reason to be nervous at the majors.

Even the Masters.

“I feel like I could step up on the tee at any tournament and feel like I should be able to win,” Mahan said at the Masters last week. “I don’t see any reason why I can’t step up on the tee and win. And, playing the Ryder Cup and playing in pressure-packed situations like that with all of the fans, it’s a learning experience.

“It is a great confidence builder.”

Mahan, a former star at Oklahoma State, finished in a tie for the 10th at the Masters, his second straight top 10 finish this season and third time among the top 11 in nine tournaments.

It was his second straight strong performance in one of the biggest events in golf. Last fall, he led the U.S. team by scoring 3.5 points (two victories and three halves) in the Ryder Cup. His 50- foot putt over a big hill on the 17th hole against Paul Casey was considered by many the most important stroke of the Ryder Cup for the Americans.

Mahan led players with local ties at the Masters. Former Oklahoma golfer Anthony Kim finished 20th.

Mahan is starting to find his groove.

“I’ve talked with Ray Floyd and Dave Stockton and (Paul Azinger) and they said that being in a Ryder Cup situation, having those moments out there, they’re great stepping stones to doing really great things in majors and in great tournaments,” Mahan said. “I definitely take that experience with me.

“I’m looking forward to getting in those situations and having the Ryder Cup to fall back on. All the good memories and all the good shots I hit when I needed to. It’s something I’ll never forget and it’ll always hang with me and definitely in a positive way.”

It was Mahan’s third Masters. He played there as an amateur in 2003.

Now, it is far different for Mahan. He has been ranked in the world’s top 20 the past two years (18th and 15th) and he’s been a winner on the PGA Tour (2007 Travelers Championship).

Still, the Masters stands out and it is different for the pros. It is the first major of the season and can set the tone for the year.

“It’s such a difficult golf course nowadays,” Mahan said. “It’s really tough. You have to think so much on the golf course. Each day is a new day. It’s a new course. The wind can make such a big difference.

“I think the course makes it very uncomfortable a lot of times. Looking at some of the pins, looking at some of the greens. Just any time you’re unsure there the place just eats you up. You’ve got to be very confident in your lines and your reads and what you see and with your distances.”

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