Mahan charges to Phoenix Open victory

Hunter Mahan charged to victory in the Phoenix Open Sunday, erasing a four-shot overnight deficit to claim the second US PGA Tour title of his career.

Mahan's second straight round of six-under 65 included an eagle and a pair of birdies in a four-hole stretch from the 13th as he took his total to 16-under 268.

The 27-year-old Mahan edged 21-year-old rookie Rickie Fowler by one shot.

Mahan's first tour title came back in 2007. Although he hasn't won since he has played well enough to play on the 2008 Ryder Cup team. He had six top-10 finishes last season.

"It's just finding a way to win," Mahan said. "I just haven't been able to do it. So obviously it feels great to get off the year on my fifth tournament to win. It gives me a lot of confidence in myself that I'm doing the right things in my game, and it feels great, it really does." Fowler carded a 68 for 269 and the second runner-up finish of his fledgling career. He lost in a three-way playoff in his second tour event last October, the Frys.com Open.

South Korea's Yang Yong-Eun also carded a 65 to finish third on 270.

The reigning PGA Champion had surged into the lead stalled when his tee shot found the water at 17.

Australia's Mathew Goggin, Chris Couch and Charles Howell shared fourth place on 13-under, while overnight leader Brandt Snedeker struggled to a 78 that left him tied for 43rd. After heavy overnight rain and light morning showers, the estimated final-round crowd was close to 44,000 - well off the more than 60,000 of last year.

They were treated to a fierce stretch run from Mahan, Fowler and Yang.

Yang, the first Asian-born golfer to win a major championship, eagled the 10th, then birdied four in a row from the 12th to take the lead through 15 holes.

At 17, however, his tee shot bounced into the water and his 25-foot putt to save par stopped an inch shy of the cup. "I really rushed it," Yang said of his tee-shot.

"I should have waited until the guys on the green holed out. But somehow I got really anxious, and I just hit it too fast."

Meanwhile Mahan hit his second shot at the par-five 13th 250 yards and made his seven-footer for eagle to tie Yang at 14-under.

He added an 18-foot birdie putt at 14 and a 14-foot birdie at 16.

Fowler birdied 13 and 14, but he opted to lay up at 15, the last par-five, and couldn't get a birdie the rest of the way.

"I felt that instead of bringing trouble into play ... I took the safe route," Fowler said.

AFP