Mahan owns four-shot lead at Barclays

2008-08-21

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PARAMUS, NEW JERSEY (TICKER) —Hunter Mahan is off to a fast start in the opening event of this year’s FedEx Cup playoffs.

Mahan fired a 9-under-par 62 on Thursday to grab a four-shot lead after the first round of The Barclays.

A six-year veteran with only one career PGA title on his resume, Mahan holed an eagle and eight birdies against only one bogey at Ridgewood Country Club. The 26-year-old California native is four shots ahead of England’s Paul Casey, who carded a 5-under 66.

“It feels good,” Mahan said. “It’s a tough golf course. I thought if you shoot in the red all week, in the 60s all week, you’ll have something at the end there. I feel great and love this golf course, and I’m excited about the next couple of days.”

Mahan opened with an eagle at the first, holing out from 99 yards. He followed with birdies at the fourth, fifth and seventh holes before a bogey at the eighth temporarily halted his run.

He made the turn in 31 and then went on another birdie binge, posting red numbers at the 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 18th for his fifth career 62. Mahan also carded a 62 in the third round of this event last year, when it was held at the Westchester Country Club.

“It feels good,” Mahan said. “It’s a tough golf course. I thought if you shoot in the red all week, in the 60s all week, you’ll have something at the end there.

“I feel great and love this golf course and I’m excited about the next couple of days.”

Mahan’s only title came last year at the Travelers Championship. He also delivered his best performance of this year at the Travelers, finishing second behind Stewart Cink.

Casey birdied three of his first four holes before losing two strokes with consecutive bogeys on the sixth and seventh holes.

But Casey finished his round with five birdies and only one bogey over the last eight holes, including a 15-foot birdie putt at No. 18 to take sole possession of second.

“I’m very happy with that,” Casey said. “I’ve struggled to get off to a good start this year. First rounds have been not so good, so that was great.”

Casey is one shot ahead of five players, including Bo Van Pelt, tied for third at 4-under 67. Australia’s Mathew Goggin is among those at 67 after a roller-coaster round that feature five birdies, an eagle at the par-4 fourth hole and three bogeys.

“I really struck the ball really well,” Goggin said. “A lot of short birdie putts and that makes it a bit easier. It was not too taxing that way.”

Defending champion Steve Stricker, Adam Scott and former PGA champion Rich Beem head a cluster of six players at 68.

Phil Mickelson finished his round at 1-under while Padraig Harrington, the reigning winner of the British Open and the PGA Championship, struggled to a 1-over 72.

“I thought I played well today. I thought the scores weren’t going to be as low as they were,” Mickelson said. “I obviously need to make up some ground tomorrow and have a good day.”