News

Hunter or Hunted? Mahan Defends in the Desert

Published

15 years ago

Feb 2, 2011

By Scott MacLeod, via www.flagstick.com

It seems obvious that a lot of people turn to the defending champion each week on the PGA with high hopes and expectations. I mean, if a guy can win on a course once why can’t he follow it up the very next year?

It is not that simple so as nice as it is to drag Hunter Mahan into the media room at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, is it really fair to expect he will repeat last year’s exploits? Not really, but based on his play last week, why not?

Admittedly a slow starter each year Mahan said Tuesday that he thinks he is really ahead of pace on last year, his finest season to date with two wins and more than $3.5 million in earnings. “…actually, to already be in contention last group on Sunday and to finish 6th already is kind of ahead of the game, and my game doesn't feel far off,” said Mahan when asked to compare this year to last. “I don't feel like I need to search for a couple weeks for my technique and everything. So actually, it's not far off. I just need reps and I just need to keep going and keep swinging and get some rounds underneath me.”

While most players would look at a top ten in just their second start of the year as a sign of things really coming together Mahan says that under the hood, his engine is not really running as smoothly as he would like. As time wore on last week, even though his scoring was solid (except for the final day 73) he really felt the best part of his skill set was not as refined as it could be, leaving room to think he might be peaking just in time for his title defense. “I was hitting it worse as the days went on, which was surprising, which is pretty rare for me. I'm a pretty good ball striker.

Mahan says his inability to hit the ball the way he wanted did put pressure on others parts of his game but that happily his driving, wedge play, and putting exceed his expectations. “I was in the tournament for most of Sunday (at the Farmers Insurance Open), which was actually kind of nice.”

What should not be lost in this conversation is the fact that Mahan won with a game of similar sorts in Scottsdale in 2010. With 68 on day one and a front nine 38 to follow the next day Mahan thought he was headed to a miss cut late on Friday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. That all changed when he birdied four of this last eight holes for a back nine 32 – creating momentum that he carried into the weekend. A nicely matched set of 65’s allowed him to catch and pass rookie Rickie Fowler to win by a stroke at sixteen under par.

Fowler will be among those looking for revenge this week but he may have to pull it off in temperatures he is not accustomed to, being a Southern California native. Low temperatures will hover just above freezing this week with highs escalating only into the low 60’s, unusual for the tournament but something that had to be expected when it was repositioned on the schedule to a slightly earlier slot.

That being the case, look for the guys who can really bust it to be in the hunt as they will be the ones with length to burn even if the cold takes down their averages drives by a notch or two. Dustin Johnson, hot off a 3^rd place tie at the Farmers Insurance Open, has to be considered a threat as does super-rookie Jhonnatan Vegas.

The sleepers have to be a trio of players with hot hands and lots of yardage to take on the seven par fours over 420 yards in length at the TPC of Scottsdale – last week’s winner Bubba Watson, along with Bob Hope playoff victim Gary Woodland, and Nick Watney – fresh off a Sunday 63 in La Jolla.

Waste Management Phoenix Open Summary

Dates: February 3-6, 2011

Where: TPC Scottsdale (71/7,216), Scottsdale, Arizona

FedExCup Points: 500

Format: 72-hole stroke play

Purse: $6,100,000; Winner’s Share: $1,098,000

This report provided by Canada's Flagstick Golf Magazine (www.flagstick.com)

News

GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down.

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 OccuNet Classic

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

With the PGA Tour across the border in Canada this week, GolfWRX Tour Photographer Greg Moore stayed stateside and headed to the OccuNet Classic presented by Amarillo National Bank in Amarillo, Texas.

It’s always interesting to see what the guys are playing on the KFT, and this week certainly hasn’t disappointed so far, with some incredible wedge stamping on display.

Check out links to all our albums below.

General Albums

2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT) – Monday #1

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

Luke Potter’s custom Cameron putter – 2026 OccuNet Classic (KFT)

News

From the GolfWRX Classifieds: Scotty Cameron GOLO 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition

Published

2 days ago

Jun 9, 2026

Will Schube

At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals who all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.

It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.

Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, @HuskerFlyer is sharing a Scotty Cameron GOLO with a BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition shaft. While the putter is certainly enviable, the Augusta-inspired shaft is equally noteworthy.

From the listing:

Scotty Cameron Golo 6 with BGT Stability Tour2 2022 M Edition Scotty Headcover 34″ $375

To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link. If you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum, you can learn more here: GolfWRX BST Rules.