Hunter Mahan scents Open prey

Published:

Hunter Mahan got up and down out of the right 18th greenside bunker to complete a wonderful three under par 68 that left the American -1 for the championship and slap bang in contention for The Open.

Renowned for his premium accuracy, Mahan mastered Muirfield to jointly shoot the best score of the day, become clubhouse leader and with it spearhead another American assault on the Claret Jug.

The 31-year-old Californian is playing in his ninth Open and his best placing was sixth in 2007 at Carnoustie.

But he is feeling right at home at Muirfield – his 68 matching his best ever Open round from Saturday 2006 at Hoylake when the conditions were similarly hard and fast.

And Mahan, who was also in the final group at the US Open, said: “Any score in the red is good. The course is difficult – it’s been strenuous and fair.

“I believe I can win a major. I’ve put myself in position but not closed it out because my short game hasn’t been as strong as it needed to be. But I’m chipping and putting great and doing all the right things.

“So I feel comfortable with my game and excited about the opportunity. I just have to go out there and trust it and let it happen. No, I don’t need any redemption for the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. I don’t play golf for revenge or to make up for anything. I’m playing because I really like to play and major golf is the ultimate challenge. It can be overwhelming at times.

“But my putter has been very strong and I had a good touch all day – that was important. That putt on 18 was perfect speed and it went right in the middle, so it was a nice way to end the day.”

And Mahan is clearly a fan of Muirfield and the way the R&A have set up the course.

“I’m just enjoying this Open so much. I like it a lot and don’t take this the wrong way, but it looked very US Openish to me. Some of the British Opens, you don’t know where to hit it. They put grandstands and towers out there so you can’t see where you’re going. Here, it’s very out in front of you. You can see it. It’s a great test. It’s just out in front of you and it’s very fair. There’s nothing tricky about it.”

- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.