Mahan chilled for challenge

THE flat screen TV on the wall is flashing in a room at The Lodge and it's way past lunch time at the Cape Kidnappers Golf Resort in Hawke's Bay.
Dressed casually in jeans, pullover and a baseball cap, Hunter Mahan is glued to an American football match on the box as a glass of milk and chocolate cookies wait in the queue of things to do for the defending champion before the $US2 million ($2.69 million) second 36-hole annual Kiwi Challenge tees off at 9am tomorrow and Thursday.
Next to the American professional golfer is his caddie John Wood who offers an infectious smile after pleasantries are exchanged before he continues to massage the buttons on his cellphone.
His psychologist and friend, Neale Smith, is there too but politely cuts a track to a comfy chair on the other side of the room so SportToday can begin its interview.
"I'm thrilled to be back," says Mahan (pronounced May-han) as he keeps his eyes on the telly.
Some things haven't changed. Just as he did in the inaugural event last year, the 27-year-old was pumping iron in the gym after a practice round with Wood and Smith.
His mother, Cindy, is in a unit at the resort, relaxing and he's thrilled to have her in a "unique" place with him.
"She's enjoying herself but it could be a little warmer. I'll be taking her out to show her the course and all that when it gets warmer," Mahan reveals, although confessing it's much warmer this time in the Bay after a blustery and wet day before tee-off last year.
Cindy, who worked for the Nordstrom department store in his home area of Orange County, California, and father Monte have been instrumental in his penchant for trendy threads but, bar his signature cap, his ensemble speaks volume - it's timeout.
Reportedly a retired undercover police officer masquerading as a surfie for years, his father, Mahan discloses, couldn't make it.
"We've got a couple of dogs back home and he's got to look after them ... they don't like to be separated," he explains with a hint of smile.
No doubt, come tomorrow the Hunter will become the hunted for two days as fellow Americans Anthony Kim and Sean O'Hair, and Colombian Camilo Villegas will try to snare the lion's share ($US 1 million) of the prizemoney Wall Street tycoon and Cape Kidnappers owner Julian Robertson has bankrolled for the event, which was played over Kauri Cliffs and here last year.
Mahan, who had beaten Kim, 24, on a sudden-death extra hole playoff, follows the standard rhetoric of how his rivals are fellow professionals who deserve respect.
The charismatic Kim, Villegas and O'Hair, both 27, arrived last night and will have their first taste of a course that Mahan reckons is a little more greener than last year - a testimony to the more than usual rain the Bay has had this spring.
The trio finished playing in a European Tour event - the US$7 million ($9.8 million)WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai - on Sunday (NZ time).
Kim was the best of them, finishing seven shots behind winner Phil Mickelson who carded 271 (69 66 67 69). Villegas was four shots behind Kim while O'Hair was well off the pace on 293.
In a media lunch session yesterday, iconic NBC television golf commentator Mark Rolfing played down claims from golfing pundits who claimed other young golfers such as Ryo Ishikawa, of Japan, to be in the same league as Mahan.
A former professional who retired because of an injury, Rolfing will anchor the telecast with Gary Koch while Roger Maltbie will provide on-course commentary.
Asked if he could predict this week's winner, the Hawaii resident laughed and replied: "No but I could have told you who didn't look like winning last year."
PGA Tour official Mark Dusbabek, of Los Angeles, felt the course was in fantastic condition.
"It's more lush and clean out there - no bad areas, no mud areas and no ruts. It's a very well-manicured golf course," said Dusbabek, a former NFL footballer, who officiated last year too.
Weather, as always, will be a major factor.
"Wind can always wreak havoc," he says, happy with the 8 to 10 knots wind forecast but not favouring anything in the vicinity of 25 knots.
Echoing Rolfing's sentiments, Dusbabek said the challenge was definitely not a "made-for-TV" event.
"I like entertainment and I like to see birdies happen but it will also be set up for difficult fare," he said, adding pin and tee placements will reflect that.
"A guy who doesn't birdie that hole will feel he's lost two shots on it."
The four would have to work for their pay day because he was running the event like any other PGA Tour one, said Dusbabek, who is fresh from the President's Cup and the Justin Timberlake tourney in Las Vegas last month in the US.
"I love it here. I get to travel some great places around the world but I'd be happy to be adopted here," he said, throwing his head back in laughter.