Ping present golden putter to Hunter Mahan

Ping present golden putter to Hunter Mahan

Christmas has come early for American PGA Tour player Hunter Mahan, as PING Golf today announced that he will be receiving one of their famed golden putters.

Back in July, Mahan was leading the RBC Canadian Open after the first two rounds. 

During the build-up to the competition, the father-to-be was aware that the birth of his first child may occur during the tournament.

Come Saturday morning, his wife Kandi went into labour in Dallas and Hunter immediately withdrew from the tournament.

Shortly after, baby Zoe was born.

Her name has now been inscribed onto two golden putters, also noting her birth date and weight. The second putter will be kept in Ping's Gold Putter Vault in Phoenix, AZ.

"We'll never know if Hunter would have held on to win that week," said John Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO. 

"But the circumstances were so unique, we wanted to create a lasting memory for Hunter, Kandi and Zoe that would forever remind them of that special day".

The golden putter in question is a replica of Hunter's own Scottsdale TR Anser2.

Hunter Mahan is this week preparing for The Barclays tournament for the first leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs. 

Speaking from Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey, he said, "That is really cool and above and beyond. I really appreciate this."