Oklahoma State University Athletics
Hunter Mahan Impressive In Ryder Cup Debut
September 20, 2008 | Cowboy Golf
LOUISVILLE, Ky.— Former Oklahoma State golfer Hunter Mahan had a successful Ryder Cup debut on Friday at Valhalla Golf Club, posting a 2-0 record to help the American squad to a 5.5-2.5 lead over the European Team.
Mahan was in action in both the morning and afternoon sessions and was paired with Justin Leonard for each round.
During the morning's foursome play, the duo endured a wild match with Paul Casey and Henrik Stenson that didn't see a hole halved until the ninth. Mahan and Leonard lost the first two holes before winning three consecutive and four of the next five to build a 2-up advantage. The European squad won the 10th to draw within one, but the Americans won Nos. 14 and 15 before halving the 16th to put the event's first point on the board.
Mahan and Leonard returned to the course for fourball action in the afternoon and squared off with the Spanish tandem of Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Mahan got the U.S. team on the board with a long birdie putt on the first hole before he and Leonard both birdied the par-3 third to go 2-up. The Europeans cut the margin in half at the seventh with an eagle by Garcia, but Mahan gave the Americans a 2-up lead at the turn with a birdie at the ninth.
The Europeans trimmed the lead once again at the 11th before the American squad took control of the match after Leonard birdied the 12th and Mahan birdied the 13th. Leonard ended the match at the 15th, chipping in for birdie and a 4 and 3 victory.
Mahan will return to action tomorrow morning in foursome play. He will once again be paired with Leonard and will take on Jimenez and Graeme McDowell.
Mahan was in action in both the morning and afternoon sessions and was paired with Justin Leonard for each round.
During the morning's foursome play, the duo endured a wild match with Paul Casey and Henrik Stenson that didn't see a hole halved until the ninth. Mahan and Leonard lost the first two holes before winning three consecutive and four of the next five to build a 2-up advantage. The European squad won the 10th to draw within one, but the Americans won Nos. 14 and 15 before halving the 16th to put the event's first point on the board.
Mahan and Leonard returned to the course for fourball action in the afternoon and squared off with the Spanish tandem of Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez.
Mahan got the U.S. team on the board with a long birdie putt on the first hole before he and Leonard both birdied the par-3 third to go 2-up. The Europeans cut the margin in half at the seventh with an eagle by Garcia, but Mahan gave the Americans a 2-up lead at the turn with a birdie at the ninth.
The Europeans trimmed the lead once again at the 11th before the American squad took control of the match after Leonard birdied the 12th and Mahan birdied the 13th. Leonard ended the match at the 15th, chipping in for birdie and a 4 and 3 victory.
Mahan will return to action tomorrow morning in foursome play. He will once again be paired with Leonard and will take on Jimenez and Graeme McDowell.
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