For the past 16 months Hunter Mahan has had to live with the tag as ‘the player who lost the 2010 Ryder Cup’.

But the American is on target to shrug off that Celtic Manor hoodoo after setting up the chance to win through to the final of the WGC  – Accenture Match Play Championship.

Mahan put himself into the last four in the $US 8.5m event courtesy of victories against Zach Johnson (19th hole), Y E Yang (5 & 3), fellow Ryder Cup colleagues Steve Sticker (4 & 3) ahead of demoralising Matt Kucher (6 & 5). 

Hunter Mahan now just two matches away from burying any lingering Celtic Manor demons. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

Mahan has carried the burden of being the player to lose to 2010 Ryder Cup ever since Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell played what was later judged the ‘2010 European Tour Shot of the Year’ in holing a 15 foot birdie putt at the 16th in the Sunday Singles.

McDowell went 1up in his match and then handed Europe victory at the 17th to defeat Mahan 2 & 1.

Mahan faced McDowell in Qatar earlier this month but the way he’s played this week the American is set to bury any last Celtic Manor demon.

And after handing Kuchar, his Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup compatriot a golfing thrashing, Mahan now faces unsung Mark Wilson who easily deposed of Sweden’s Peter Hanson 4 & 3.

After his match Mahan admitted he was surprised at how poorly Kuchar played given the level of game he has.

“Yeah, I feel great and I feel great from every aspect of my game, which is nice,” said Mahan. 

“My short game, my putting and irons and everything.  I feel very comfortable with everything.  I feel good with this golf course.  I feel like every day we play here is learning a little bit more about how each hole plays. 

“So I’m really looking forward what lies ahead.

“All I want to do to is just keep doing what I’m doing and trusting it and really enjoy my time out there because it’s nice to be playing this well, for sure.”