Vincent Publishing - Index

Vincent Publishing - 2008 Travelers Championship Magazine - Index

PHOTOS: (BELOW) MAHAN KISSES THE
TROPHY AFTER HIS VICTORY LAST YEAR.
(RIGHT) JAY WILLIAMSON REACTS TO
MISSING HIS BIRDIE PUTT ON THE 17TH
HOLE DURING THE FOURTH ROUND.
(BOTTOM RIGHT) JAY WILLIAMSON, RIGHT,
SHAKES HANDS WITH HUNTER MAHAN
BEFORE THEIR PLAYOFF AFTER THE
FOURTH ROUND.
30 This is the new era.
“Physically my swing got better. I improved in all
parts of my game and I was able to use my mind as
a positive weapon instead of a negative thing.”
Nowhere was that convergence of Hunter Mahan’s
golf planets more evident than at the Travelers
Championship.
He opened last year’s event with a near-courserecord
eight-under-par 62 on the 6,844-yard, par-
70 layout and led by two over Chris DiMarco.
Mahan’s day included 10 birdies.
A disappointing 71 in the second round left Mahan
at seven-under-par and trailing Williamson, who was
playing on a sponsor’s exemption, and David Toms
by a shot.
When he and Williamson shot 67s, the kid from
Texas entered the final day one back of the alsowinless
veteran from Missouri.
Coupled with a final-round 65 and Williamson’s 66,
the playoff between the two was brief, but might
never have happened had Mahan not birdied the
72nd hole from seven feet.
Trading one brilliant shot for another down the
stretch, Mahan’s pitching wedge on the first extra
hole settled to two feet and his birdie putt was his
ride to the winner’s circle.
“My first win was quite a moment,” said Mahan in the
months after his success.
“I felt I played good all day. The longer the day went
on, the more I felt I was in control. I made a huge
putt on (No.) 14 and played 15, 16 and 17 really well.
There was a lot of excitement and a little bit of relief
to win. It’s never easy to win on TOUR, but to go
back and win after that first time, it will be neat to be
the defending champion.” ❑
Richard Mudry is a golf writer based in Tampa, FL.
Official Championship Magazine