Q & A
Question:
Hunter, I met you today at TP. You signed a ball and hat for me. I just wanted to tell you, “I like how you golf”. I am your fan. Nicholas age 7 (San Diego)
Answer:
Thanks Nicholas! Hope you had fun. Thanks for coming out!
Question:
How did the environment of the Ryder Cup differ from that of a normal tournament?
Answer:
There was just more crazy energy. There’s always pressure in any tournament you play, but like I said, it’s so definitive on one side or the other. When you play a major, there are a ton of guys trying to win. You don’t feel like the fans are cheering for anyone; they just want to see good shots. It was nothing I’ve ever seen or felt before. It’s just different. It’s hard to describe to someone how it’s different from a major, but it is. You’ve got teammates and wives and captains and fans completely cheering against you. But it was a great feeling. That’s what the Ryder Cup is all about. They had a home-field advantage. That’s what helped us succeed in ’08 and that’s what helped them succeed this year.
Question:
What do you do off of the course during tournament weeks?
Answer:
It depends on the city, but as a big basketball fan I like to take in a game anytime I can. At the Northern Trust Open in L.A. I caught a Lakers game. During baseball season I always try to catch a game in cities with teams. The worst thing you can do is sit around and think about your round. You have to give your mind a rest.
Updates
Mon, Aug 9th 2010, 09:43
Hunter Mahan wins Bridgestone Invitational
Hunter Mahan has had a lot on his mind this year.
He’s been trying to improve his position in the FedExCup standings. He wanted to make the U.S. Ryder Cup team on his own merit, too. Then there’s that January wedding to plan.
Oh, and on Sunday there was a tournament to win. A big one, too, the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.
Once he did, coming from four strokes behind with a 64, Mahan took care of everything else. Except for the wedding plans, that is.
The victory was the third of the 28-year-old’s PGA TOUR career, and his second of 2010. Mahan has come from behind in each victory and Sunday’s bogey-free performance was flawless.
“Obviously to win any time on the PGA TOUR is great, but an event like this, 80 of the best players in the world, this definitely means it’s something special,” Mahan said. “This is a great, great tournament. Bridgestone does an incredible job. This course is immaculate. Every time we come here it’s just like a major.
“... All the players all over the world come here to play, and it’s definitely the best win of my career for sure. And it’s probably the coolest trophy we get, too.”
The tan-and-black Wedgewood Gary Player Cup will undoubtedly find a prominent place in Mahan’s Texas home. Less tangible but just as important, though, is the momentum he gained heading the PGA Championship and the PGA TOUR Playoffs for the FedExCup.
And there’s the added bonus of the berth he earned — that’s the key word — on the U.S. Ryder Cup team. Not to say he didn’t belong in 2008 — or on the last two Presidents Cup teams, as well — but he didn’t want to be a Captain’s Pick again.
“Any way you make the Ryder Cup team, it’s great, it really is,” Mahan said. “But I felt my game was good enough to make it on my own, and that was a goal of mine this year. ... I knew it was there. I knew I just had to keep going and keep trusting it.
“This weekend I definitely just kind of let everything go and just had some fun. There’s a lot to think about right now with the FedExCup and Ryder Cup going on this week, but I’m pretty proud of how I played. I handled all the stuff that was going on inside my head on the outside.”
Comments
Rob Robinson | on 14/8/10
I would like to congradulate you on winning the Bridgestone Invitational. That was a great recovery shot you made on the 16th. I was the marshall that found your ball in the flower bed. Thanks to the help of the person that was hit by the ball. I would like to know if it would be possible to send me a ball. I collect them for my grandson and think it would be nice to have one from the winner of the Bridgestone being I work there.
Barry Morgan | on 11/8/10
Good job Hunter keep on keepin on! Go cowboys!
Scott T. | on 9/8/10
You’re the man Hunter, for real! Looks like I was following you around at the Canadian Open one tournament too early. I was the guy with the Ping hat, UnderArmour Shirts and Monster energy drinks who kept saying “let’s go Oklahoma State.” Hope you had a good time in Toronto and I’m glad you were able to make time for us between the British and PGA while impressively winning the Bridgestone. Good luck this weekend at Whistling Straits!
Q & A
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Caddie's Corner
Hunter’s Caddie, John Wood, gives you the inside scoop on life in the PGA. Find tips, recommendations, and insider info usually reserved for tour pros right here at the Caddie’s Corner.
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