Hunter Mahan retired from professional golf at the age of 39 after an illustrious career that featured six PGA Tour wins, three Ryder Cup appearances and over $30m in prize money.
The Californian, based in Texas, decided to switch careers to become a high school coach, where he now teaches teenagers of varying abilities near his hometown. He does that all the while getting to sleep in his own bed and focus on family life with four children vs travelling around the globe grinding on his game.
“Having to travel and do all the other things that if you want to be a professional golfer you have to do, I do not miss any of that,” he told Golf Monthly.
“I do like waking up in the same place every day and sort of being domesticated and being with my kids and wife. Just doing something that’s very centered around them and doing the best that I can for them is where my life kind of led me and very happy to be doing what I’m doing every single day.”
Mahan won two WGC titles in his six-win PGA Tour career
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Mahan has no regrets with his decision to hang up the clubs but admits that he misses some of his friends and the close relationships he built out on tour. He also acknowledged the work it takes to play elite golf and paid homage to the likes of Rickie Fowler and Keegan Bradley for ‘climbing the mountain’ again whilst having a young family.
“No, I don’t have any [plans to return],” Mahan said before discussing the possibility of taking up eligibility on the PGA Tour Champions when he turns 50.
“Yeah, I mean in accordance of the rules today yes [on whether he would have status as a player with more than four PGA Tour wins]. It’s a long time from now. And it’s maybe something I can do. I have four small kids. I don’t really have the desire. I know what it takes, right?
“Once you’re out there and know what being a professional golfer takes day in and day out, what these guys do every day and how hard they work. I’m not willing to pay that price, it’s a big price to pay. You’ve got to put a lot of work. And it’s much harder to climb the mountain twice than it is once, right?
“It’s been great to see Rickie Fowler and Keegan [Bradley] sort of battle back up top. It’s really hard to do with the family and kids and doing all those things. It’s really hard.
“It’s…
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