Updates
Tue, Jul 7th 2009, 11:03
Second place at AT&T National just latest big finish by Mahan
USA TODAY
The record book at Congressional Country Club’s Blue Course needed a revision last week at the AT&T National — twice.
On Thursday Anthony Kim threw down a first-round 62 to break the old mark by a stroke, playing the front-nine in an impressive 29 and vaulting to the tournament lead.
On Sunday, with the pins tucked and the greens more firm, Hunter Mahan equaled Kim’s record. Mahan birdied three out of his final four holes to post an early clubhouse lead halfway through the final round.
“I certainly didn’t see that score out there,” said tournament host Tiger Woods, who went on to beat Mahan by a stroke. “What Hunter did was pretty impressive.”
Woods inched past Mahan’s mark of 12 under par with a decisive birdie on the 16th hole, notching his 68th career win in the process. But Mahan’s second-place finish was his third top-10 in a row, a stretch that signifies his rising profile on the PGA Tour.
Despite generally staying under the radar, the 27-year-old is 17 for 17 in cuts made this year and 15th on the PGA Tour money list. The finish vaulted him to 26th in the World Golf Rankings.
“I’ve been hitting it pretty good this year,” Mahan said. “I’ve got a lot of confidence in what I’m doing and the player I’m turning into. I feel like I can win every tournament I play in.”
While many other young stars have grabbed the majority of the headlines, Mahan is steadily blossoming into an upper-tier golfer.
After turning pro in 2003, a year after a runner-up finish at the U.S. Amateur, it took the Texas native four years to break into the winner’s circle. But since that moment, when he downed Jay Williamson in a playoff to win the 2007 Travelers Championship, Mahan has shown that he is here to stay.
Comments
Garrett Grant | on 9/7/09
Hunter, I first started following your career when you and I believe Rollins were featured in a SF Chronicle article about two journeymen golfers who no one heard of but were making decent enouogh money to make golf a nice career. Boy has that image changed. You have now blossomed into a top tier competitor who can play with the best of the best. While my friends follow Tiger or Phil, I follow you. I wish you all the best at the British and the rest of this season.
Garry
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