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Thu, Dec 18th 2008, 09:44
Mahan in hunt to join young guns chasing Tiger
By Steve DiMeglio, USA TODAY
Much has been made recently of an emerging set of 20-somethings on the PGA Tour, with Anthony Kim, Camilo Villegas and Sergio Garcia creating the most buzz and spiking hope that one of the young guns will rise up and challenge Tiger Woods for golf supremacy.
It might be time to add Hunter Mahan to the list.
Although the 26-year-old former All-American from Oklahoma State and runner-up in the 2002 U.S. Amateur has only one Tour win — in the 2007 Travelers — some of his best golf was in the latter half of 2008, especially in the USA’s triumph in the Ryder Cup. His good form continued Thursday in the first round of the Chevron World Challenge, as he shot a 1-under-par 71 at sun-drenched but unseasonably cool Sherwood Country Club and is in a tie for fourth.
“One year ago today, if you would have asked most people who the two best young American players were, you’d hear Hunter and Anthony (Kim) mentioned in almost every breath,” said Jim Furyk, who grabbed the lead with a 68 despite not making a birdie on any of the five par-5s. “I’ve got a lot of respect for both of those guys. Hunter is very quiet, businesslike, kind of gets his stuff done, goes about his business his own way.
“But he’s got a lot of game and is going to be around a long time.”
Furyk was especially impressed with Mahan at the Ryder Cup. In the USA’s 161/2-111/2 win in Kentucky, Mahan went 2-0-3.
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