Not again: Mahan screws up critical chip, cedes half-point to Justin Rose
It happened again: Hunter Mahan misplayed a critical chip shot that may well have cost the Americans their chance at a Ryder Cup comeback.
Mahan was 1 up on the par-5 18th hole against Justin Rose, facing an uphill chip for his third shot. If he could get up-and-down for birdie, he would win the match and earn a point crucial to the American charge on Sunday. After overthinking the shot, Mahan decided on a flop. It flopped. The shot went too far, rolling off the other side of the green. Mahan then putted uphill onto the green, still away for a par putt that would’ve placed modest pressure on Rose to make his birdie putt. Mahan missed the putt and gave Rose the hole for the halve.
The situation was reminiscent of Mahan’s flubbed chip shot late in his singles match against Graeme McDowell in the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor. It ultimately made McDowell the clinching hero.
However, Mahan would not have found himself in this position if Rose didn’t catch fire in the middle of the round, winning four consecutive holes in birdie to square the match. An incredible recovery approach from Rose on the par-4 13th hole put Rose stunted Mahan’s momentum after winning the 12th to regain the lead after the initial Rose flurry.
With these two chips shots, Mahan may have too much scar tissue to be able to make substantive contributions to future U.S. Ryder Cup teams. Mahan was on the right side of the ledger once all week, going 1-2-1 in four matches.
Rose was the European MVP. It wasn’t even close. He went 3-0-2, earning four huge points for the Europeans. He’s the new Ian Poulter.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
