You Da Ma-ha-n!!!

The annual tournament in the desert put on by the Thunderbirds was yet again another success in 2010. Annually setting attendance records for a single event, the Phoenix Open is known more for its patrons then for the golf itself. This four-day party in Scottsdale is epicentered by cheers, jeers and chants from keg drinking fans planted at the par three 16th hole. This diminutive and relatively straightforward 170-yard par 3 is known for many as the most intimidating hole in golf. This arena-like hole is the setting for 20,000 drunken fans and their ode to fandom. Harsher than the ‘Cameron Crazies’ and gentler than ‘Raider Nation’ these ‘Scottsdale Screamers’ are as big of a part of this tournament as anything.

Many players see this tee shot as the toughest in all of golf, rivaling it with the 17th at Sawgrass, while others thrive on the attention. One thing is for sure, when Hunter Mahan stepped to the 16th tee on Sunday with a one-stroke lead he no doubt thrived on the atmosphere. As the last to hit in his group, the natives were already a bit restless from a great shot by grouping partner Robert Allenby, but Mahan was also able to deliver. As shouts and screams echoed through the desert after his swing, the ball landed just short of the pin and spun sideways to about 14 feet, much to the delight of the rowdy patrons. After his rousing walk down the fairway to the green, he gave the crowd what they wanted by rolling in the putt to a chorus of liquid noise from the patrons.

This birdie was Mahan’s sixth of the day and led to him carding a bogey free 6-under par 65 as an early posting in the clubhouse. He posted it and told the rest of the field to come and get him. Many of the overnight leaders struggled some on Sunday, including the overall three round leader Brant Snedeker, who fell apart early enroute to a 7-over par 78. The only pursuit to Mahan was the more than game 21-year-old rookie and fellow Oklahoma State Cowboy Ricky Fowler. Clad in Cowboy Orange Fowler played a very consistent 18 holes, but was unable to capitalize with birdies on any of the final 4 holes, enroute to his own bogey free round…but it was only a 3-under par round of 68.

Although this final round left Fowler one shot short of Mahan, it was still his best ever finish in his very short PGA Tour career with a solo 2nd. This young up-and-comer has a lot of golf fans excited with his long hitting and edgy play, and he looks like he has the stuff to be a future star on tour. As for Mahan, he is already a pretty successful star on tour. This victory will join his 2007 win in Hartford as his two lone victories. He has also been a winning member of the last two President’s Cup teams and most recent Ryder Cup team. Although before this win he had not gotten off to the greatest start in 2010, Mahan is still currently ranked 22nd in the World and has a lot to build from as we move to the Florida swing.

As for Augusta, there was no doubt Mahan was in the field. He finished the 2009 Masters with a T10 earning him an automatic exemption into the 2010 field with the ‘Top 16 and Ties’ rule. He may not be seen as one of the direct favorites, but he will no doubt be put in the conversation as a guy who can contend and be there on Sunday afternoon. With the game Mahan has, along with his gradual but constant improvement, it’s not out of the question for him to slip on that Green Jacket in April. And if that happens, he would no doubt be ‘The Man.’