Mahan is on the hunt

Last updated: 18th February 2013

Defending champion Hunter Mahan said he was motivated ahead of the Match Play Championship.

"I've been playing this game a long time, and you have so many ups and downs. But right now, I'm about as motivated as I have ever been," said Mahan, ahead of the Matchplay Championship, which starts this Wednesday.

Mahan, who plays against Matteo Monassero in the first round, acknowledged that he had experienced a severe slump in form, especially at the back-end of 2013.

However, he is adamant that he has now overcome this psychological hurdle.

"It's always a learning process every time you come out and play. There are always new challenges within yourself and outward challenges as well," said a visibly more confident Mahan.

"In golf there's nothing more difficult than trying to force it in the hole. This isn't like football or basketball where you can inflict your physical dominance on an opponent or something, you can't just go to the hoop and get fouled and then get two points," said Mahan said.

"It's much more difficult than that. It was a lot of things, and it just didn't work out," Mahan said of his ordinary form during ext6ended periods of last season.

What will encourage Mahan most is that he had a top ten finish at a star studded Northern Trust Open last weekend.

"There's a great quote that I read from Nick Saban, and I think it's perfect for the game of golf. He said, 'There's no continuum for success. Just because you did it last year doesn't mean you're going to do it this year,'" said Mahan said.

"You always have to keep working and you always have to keep acting like it's a new year.

"You always have to act like you've never done something before. There are a lot of things I need to get better at. The thing I'm excited about is that I have so much room to improve. I don't think I've come close to reaching my point of success yet. I'm excited that I have miles to grow.

"Last year is over," said the American golfer.