Hunter Mahan's Wife Goes Into Labor And He Withdraws From Canadian Open With 36-Hole Lead

Mahan Withdraws From Canadian Open After Wife Goes Into Labor
GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 20: Hunter Mahan of the United States acknowledges the crowd on the 18th hole during the third round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 20, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
GULLANE, SCOTLAND - JULY 20: Hunter Mahan of the United States acknowledges the crowd on the 18th hole during the third round of the 142nd Open Championship at Muirfield on July 20, 2013 in Gullane, Scotland. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

OAKVILLE, Ontario –– Hunter Mahan, the 36-hole leader at the RBC Canadian Open, withdrew less than an hour before his third round tee time when his wife, Kandi, went into labor.

The Mahans are expecting their first child, a girl and plan to name her Zoe. But the baby wasn’t due until Aug. 17. Mahan’s wife had gone to the doctor earlier this week, and there was no reason to expect an early delivery, said Mahan’s longtime caddie, John Wood.

So much for the best laid plans.

According to Mahan’s agent, Chris Armstrong of Wasserman Media Group, Kandi’s water broke and she was rushed to a Dallas hospital. While being driven there by a family member, she phoned Armstrong, who was in the Glen Abbey clubhouse. Armstrong hustled to the driving range, where Mahan was warming up to tee off at 2:50 p.m., after an 80-minute rain delay pushed back tee times.

With rounds of 67-64, Mahan held a two-stroke lead entering the third round. Mahan had driven to the course with Wood. Mahan’s warm-up routine consists of putting first. He had finished there and hit two balls, according to the CBS Sports cameraman who was filming his warm-up session, when Armstrong showed up. Mahan took the phone and spoke to Kandi briefly. Mahan immediately withdrew, packed his gear, and headed to the airport to catch a flight to Dallas. On the way, he spoke to Kandi and to friends to arrange a pickup when he arrived in Dallas. Mahan also spoke to their doctor. According to Wood, the doctor said Mahan should be able to make it to the hospital in time for the birth.

With the PGA Championship being held the week before Mahan’s due date, Team Mahan had discussed the possibility of just such a scenario.

“But nothing this early,” Wood said. “It came as a huge surprise.”

Mahan released a statement that said, “I received exciting news a short time ago that my wife Kandi has gone into labor with our first child. As a result, I have withdrawn from the RBC Canadian Open to return to Dallas. I would like to extend my very sincere gratitude and appreciation to RBC and the RBC Canadian Open. Kandi and I are thrilled about this addition to the Mahan family and we look forward to returning to the RBC Canadian Open in the coming years.”

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