Hunter Mahan Claims Phoenix Open

Sports News - March 1st, 2010 - Written By Bryan Cross

Down by four strokes entering the day, Hunter Mahan fired a 65 in the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open to secure his first win on the PGA Tour in two years.

With his final posted total if 16-under-par, he bested fellow former Oklahoma State player Rickie Fowler by one shot.

"It's always a little better to lose to a Cowboy," Fowler remarked in a post-round interview.

Mahan spurred a late charge on the back nine in which he eagled the par five 13th hole, and birdied holes 14 and 16. His solid play down the stretch set him apart from the other players in the field, who were unable to convert the critical opportunities.

Following Mahan and Fowler was 2009 PGA Champion Y.E Yang, who equaled Mahan's Sunday round of 65 to finish two off the pace at 14-under. Mathew Goggin, Chris Couch and Charles Howell III were grouped together three off the pace of Mahan, at 13-under.

Fifty-four hole leader Brandt Snedeker entered Sunday with a one-shot advantage, but struggled and closed his round with back-to-back double bogeys for a score of 78.

Despite not winning for the last two seasons on tour, Mahan has been able to put himself in contention, and play well in many tournaments, including the Ryder Cup. Last year at the AT&T National, he tabbed a runner-up finish and had over $5 million in earnings.

"It's just finding a way to win. I just haven't been able to do it," Mahan remarked after the win. "So obviously it feels great to get off the year on my fifth tournament to win. It gives me a lot of confidence in myself that I'm doing the right things in my game, and it feels great, it really does."

Weather was a continual storyline throughout the course of the week, with the combination of rain and wind affecting the players. Overnight, winds reached nearly 50mph, with added rain. Fortunately for the field, the front moved out of the area by the time final round play was set to begin.

The weather caused many fans to stay home, as both Saturday and Sunday saw crowds of well under the expected total. The final round witnessed 44,000 come out, compared to last year when over 60,000 watched Sunday.

Snedeker was the betting favorite on PGA Betting Lines at Bodog sportsbook as the overnight leader to win the Phoenix Open, but it was Mahan who climbed his way to the top. He is now in fifth place on the money list for 2010 as the West Coast swing concluded. The PGA Tour now shifts to Florida for the Honda Classic.