He is the golfer who withdrew before the third round of a PGA Tour event despite boasting a two-shot lead

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While there is an argument that Hunter Mahan never quite managed to fulfil his full potential, there is no question that he was one of the world’s best players at one stage during his career.

A lot of players would gladly accept the résumé Hunter Mahan boasted, with six PGA Tour victories, eight top 10s in the majors and three Ryder Cup appearances. He also reached a high of number four in the world in 2012.

Mahan won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2010 before beating Rory McIlroy to clinch the WGC-Accenture Match Play title two years later.

And what proved to be the final PGA Tour victory of his career came in 2014 when he won The Barclays.

But it could easily have proved to have been seven victories for the 43-year-old, who reached the halfway stage of the 2013 Canadian Open with a two shot lead.

Why Hunter Mahan withdrew when leading the Canadian Open by two shots

While not a signature event on the PGA Tour, the Canadian Open is one of the more significant stops on the calendar. It is the most prestigious event Jack Nicklaus failed to win, with the 18-time major champion finishing second on seven occasions during his career.

Mahan was 13 under par going into the third round in 2013 after posting a 64 on Friday. However, it would prove to be Brandt Snedeker who won by three on 16 under par. Mahan meanwhile would end up withdrawing before his third round got going.

In fairness, Mahan had more than a good reason not to tee it up on Saturday at Glen Abbey. He had received word that his wife had gone into labour, with his daughter Zoe being born the next morning.

Of course, it must have been slightly surreal for Snedeker to win the tournament in those circumstances. He would have been aware that he would have faced a much tougher task had Mahan not received the call to leave the event.

How Brandt Snedeker reacted to Hunter Mahan’s decision after winning the Canadian Open

Unsurprisingly, Snedeker was asked about Mahan withdrawing after getting across the line. And he suggested that he had to thank his countryman.

“Zoe will be getting a very nice baby gift from me. I can’t thank Kandi enough for going into labour early, I don’t know if I’d be sitting here if she hadn’t. But that is a way more important thing than a golf tournament. I missed a golf tournament when my first was born, and it was the best decision I ever made. I’m sure Hunter would say the same thing,” he said.

Mahan meanwhile would react to the reception he got when he returned to action at the PGA Championship the following month.

“Yeah, you know, the feedback’s been incredible. Obviously the attention that’s surrounded it has been unbelievable, as well, very unexpected. But the feedback’s been 100 percent great. It’s just been awesome to‑‑ I think everyone can kind of relate. Everyone knows someone who has given birth or had a child and I think everyone knows how special it is,” he said.

“I think people are just ready for a great story in sports, and it was a great time. It was so fun to be there and have my parents there and her parents and everyone be there at the same time. It was nice having my parents there all week, because they live in California, I don’t see them as much. It was nice to have them there. I’m an only child, and so to have all the generations there‑‑ it was really neat. It was a special time. It’s just nice to have that quiet time, just me and Kandi and Zoe just kicking it and doing everything.

“It was a lot of fun, a time I’ll never get back, and it really‑‑ I don’t know, it just makes things matter a little bit more and, at the same time, matter a little bit less.”