Big Play

WHO Hunter Mahan

WHAT 136-yard pitching wedge to two feet

WHERE 444-yard par-4 18th hole at TPC River Highlands

WHEN First playoff hole of the Travelers Championship

WHY
Mahan's swing is built to perform under pressure, as he showed by stiffing wedge shots at 18 in regulation and in the playoff, because it's perfectly balanced going back. At the top of the backswing his elbows are level with each other. That position means he doesn't need to resort to any funky timing or weird compensating moves in the downswing to square the clubhead at impact.

GERALD'S TIP

I Love Mahan's Balanced Elbows

Every golfer should strive to have balanced elbows at the top, as Mahan does. To keep your elbows balanced, your forearms should face each other and remain the same distance apart from address to the top of the backswing, and your elbows should point down. To learn what this feels like, raise your arms to the top of your backswing, then have someone lay a club across your elbows. The shaft should be parallel to the ground.

...And another thing

"The PGA Tour shouldn't test for drugs. The Tour has no business policing players who are independent contractors."

For Sale
This classic course in northern Illinois is a shooter's paradise