February 28, 2010

PING pro Hunter Mahan began his week in Phoenix with a visit to the PING factory where he treated to lunch the employees who design and build his golf equipment. He ended the week by winning the Waste Management Phoenix Open for his second career victory. In between, he played 44 consecutive holes without a bogey and reminded the golf world when it comes to the best Americans under the age of 30, his name is near the top of the list.

“I want to be a great player and to be a great player you need to win,” said Mahan, who represented the United States in the last two President’s Cups and at the 2008 Ryder Cup. “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."

In the final round, a four-hole stretch on the TPC of Scottsdale’s back nine proved the difference for Mahan’s one-shot victory. An eagle from seven feet on the par-5 13th was followed by birdies on the 14th and 16th holes. He parred in from there for his second straight bogey-free 65 to claim the $1,080,000 winner’s check.

The 27-year-old put himself back in contention for the title with his third round 65. He entered the final round with a four-shot deficit that he cut to two with a birdie on the ninth hole. His eagle on 13 earned him a temporary share of the lead that he grabbed for good on the next hole with a birdie from 18-feet. His birdie at the par-3 16th hole lifted him to 16-under-par.

Mahan relied on his PING S57 irons to lead the field in Greens in Regulation for the week. He also played a Rapture V2 driver, i15 3-wood, i15 17-degree hybrid, EYE2 lob wedge and an iWi D66 putter.