Hunter Mahan  

PGA of America golfer Hunter Mahan currently features within the top 20 of the US Ryder Cup points list, and has appeared within the top 50 in Official World Golf Rankings.

Hunter Mahan was born in Orange, California in 1982. His successes as a golfer began with an amateur career in which he won the 1999 US Junior Amateur Golf Championship and earned second position at the 2002 US Amateur Championship. In 2003, he won the Haskins Award for outstanding collegiate golfer, playing for Oklahoma State University.

Mahan turned professional in 2003 and succeeded in qualifying for a PGA of America Tour card for the 2004 season.

In 2007, Hunter Mahan earned his first PGA Tour victory, with a win at the Travelers Championship that propelled him to within the top 100 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Hunter Mahan led through most of the Travelers Championship tournament. Finally, at the 72^nd hole, he needed a birdie to force a possible playoff with opponent Jay Williamson. Mahan made the putt, and Williamson missed his birdie and the chance to secure an outright win. Mahan took the first hole of the playoff with a clutch approach two-foot putt to win the tournament.

Based on Mahan's performance at the Travelers, captain Jack Nicklaus chose him as one of two captain's picks for the US Presidents Cup team, which went on to secure a victory.

Also in 2007, Hunter Mahan tied for 6^th position in the Open Championship and for 18^th position in the PGA Championship. By August of 2007, he was ranked among the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

We'll be waiting to see what the PGA of America can bring to the 2008 Ryder Cup Matches, after wins by Europe in five of the six last outings.