Hunter Mahan grabbed his second career PGA TOUR victory at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. One of the rising stars of the golf world has been dormant since 2007 but, a strong weekend puts this Texan back into the forefront of the golf world at a time when young stars seem to be primed for a takeover.
Mahan was a star of the Ryder Cup victory two years ago. But, last season was a struggle as Mahan had only six top 10s in 25 events. His best finish was runner-up at the AT&T National. Mahan was also on the winning Presidents Cup team at the end of the 2009 season. So far, 2010 has not been easy for Mahan with his best finish coming at the Farmers Insurance Open, a tie for 27th. His victory last week – with 65s on the weekend – should give Mahan the fuel to be a force on the PGA TOUR this season. And, with Tiger Woods out, the PGA TOUR needs more guys like Mahan to step into the leadership role.
Another rising star that had a coming out party in the desert was Rickie Fowler. The highly touted rookie finished second to Mahan for his second top 5 finish of the season. And though Fowler has three missed cuts, he very much could be the future of the PGA TOUR. Fowler made a splash on TOUR in the Fall Series, where he almost earned full exempt status in only three events. He earned his way on TOUR through qualifying school for the 2010 season.
With Woods out, the PGA TOUR needs to help guys like Mahan and Fowler shine. The PGA TOUR needs them and Anthony Kim, Brandt Snedeker and Camilo Villegas to take the game into the future. Villegas has only played twice in 2010 but he finished third at the Accenture Match Play Championship and tied for eighth at the Phoenix Open. Snedeker has played well this year and probably would have earned his third top 10 had he not shot 78 in the final round last week. Kim has played better each week this year, finishing 24th last week.
These are the guys the PGA needs to promote more so that they can become household names with fans as Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els are. Woods is gone – for now – and Mickelson and Els are sliding down the back nine of their very respected careers. For the TOUR to survive, it needs more of the Mahan’s, Kim’s and Villegas’ of the golfing world.
Hunter Mahan, PGA TOUR shine in desert
Mahan was a star of the Ryder Cup victory two years ago. But, last season was a struggle as Mahan had only six top 10s in 25 events. His best finish was runner-up at the AT&T National. Mahan was also on the winning Presidents Cup team at the end of the 2009 season. So far, 2010 has not been easy for Mahan with his best finish coming at the Farmers Insurance Open, a tie for 27th. His victory last week – with 65s on the weekend – should give Mahan the fuel to be a force on the PGA TOUR this season. And, with Tiger Woods out, the PGA TOUR needs more guys like Mahan to step into the leadership role.
Another rising star that had a coming out party in the desert was Rickie Fowler. The highly touted rookie finished second to Mahan for his second top 5 finish of the season. And though Fowler has three missed cuts, he very much could be the future of the PGA TOUR. Fowler made a splash on TOUR in the Fall Series, where he almost earned full exempt status in only three events. He earned his way on TOUR through qualifying school for the 2010 season.
With Woods out, the PGA TOUR needs to help guys like Mahan and Fowler shine. The PGA TOUR needs them and Anthony Kim, Brandt Snedeker and Camilo Villegas to take the game into the future. Villegas has only played twice in 2010 but he finished third at the Accenture Match Play Championship and tied for eighth at the Phoenix Open. Snedeker has played well this year and probably would have earned his third top 10 had he not shot 78 in the final round last week. Kim has played better each week this year, finishing 24th last week.
These are the guys the PGA needs to promote more so that they can become household names with fans as Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els are. Woods is gone – for now – and Mickelson and Els are sliding down the back nine of their very respected careers. For the TOUR to survive, it needs more of the Mahan’s, Kim’s and Villegas’ of the golfing world.