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AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 03: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson of the United States talk on the 11th hole during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 3, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 03: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson of the United States talk on the 11th hole during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 3, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
The 2010 Ryder Cup was one of a kind. It was the first time since 1991 that the singles final match decided the champion team! As a result, the fans present at the Celtic Manor Resort golf club were encircled on the 17th green to watch the historic final match between Team USA’s Hunter Mahan and Team Europe’s Graeme McDowell. What Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson did would astound you.
“It was intense. It was really really intense,” Mahan revealed recently about the feelings he had during the match. And the nervousness in him led him to lose the match to his European opponent. While McDowell could extend his lead with a birdie putt, the American golfer duffed a chip shot and lost the event, making Team USA lose the title in 2010.
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It was one of the most devastating moments the PGA Tour veteran had ever faced throughout his career. In his mind, he let down his team and his country by losing the match. Since it was more than he could take, Mahan ended up shedding tears after the event, and his two teammates, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson helped him get through those emotions!
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson stayed by his side after the event
Recently, Hunter Mahan appeared as a guest in the Golf Subpar podcast where he revealed the inside stories from the event. According to him, Woods walked with him from the 17th hole after his defeat to the clubhouse. “He was the first guy to give me a hug and tell me how proud he was of me,” he added.
“I was like crying in the locker room,” Mahan revealed. “I was so devastated by what happened.” According to Mahan, Woods stayed with him all the time, which he thought was “cool.”
Read more: Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson Hated Each Other. What Changed All of That?
Similarly, according to Hunter, Mickelson stayed with him when he had to face the media after the event. “Phil was there with me,” he said. “He sat right next to me (during the press meet).”
Hunter Mahan’s career after the 2010 Ryder Cup
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Hunter Mahan turned professional in 2003 and won three championship titles until 2010, including a WGC title. The 2010 singles match loss made the golfer devastated. However, he still continued to play and won three more titles on the Tour, including another World Golf Championship.
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LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 21: Hunter Mahan reacts after his putt on the 18th green during the first round of The American Express tournament on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West on January 21, 2021 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Furthermore, he participated in the 2014 Ryder Cup as well. However, Team Europe won the event once again. Mahan played last at the 3M Open in 2021, where he failed to make a cut.
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Hunter lost the match to his European opponent when his country was counting on him. Yet, his teammates helped him handle the situation well, even though they would have been feeling no better after losing the Ryder Cup. If that isn’t teamwork, I don’t know what is?
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