Golfer Quits Tourney with Lead to Be with Wife in Labor, Gives Up More than $1M in Potential Prize Money

To some, family means more than money. Golfer Hunter Mahan withdrew from the Canadian Open when he found out his wife was in labor with their first child on Saturday. He immediately packed up and hopped on a plane back to Dallas, TX.

He was leading at 13-under par after 36 holes and had yet to tee off in a third round that was delayed by rain. He left behind potentially $1,008,000 in tournament money. Mahan released the following statement:

“I received exciting news a short time ago that my wife Kandi has gone into labor with our first child,” Mahan said in a statement. “Kandi and I are thrilled about the addition to the Mahan family and we look forward to returning to the RBC Canadian Open in the coming years.”

Her due date is a month away.

The threat of lightning delayed play and Mahan had not teed off when his scheduled 1:30 p.m. ET tee time came. Mahan was re-scheduled for a 2:50 p.m. ET tee time, but he never made that it to the first tee. The departure left John Merrick, who was two strokes behind Mahan, without a partner.