Mark Mulder wins Golf Channel Western Masters
4/7/2013 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff
Former MLB pitcher and ESPN analyst Mark Mulder loves competitive golf and has the game to win
LA QUINTA, Calif. (April 7, 2013) -- Maybe it's the thrill of hitting the ball instead of trying to throw a ball by someone that's trying to hit it. Whatever the case, professional pitchers often take to golf and become quite good at it.
The all time leading money winner on the Celebrity Players Tour is former MLB All Star Rick Rhoden. And John Smoltz, also a pitcher, is now considered one of the world's best celebrity golfers.
For Mark Mulder, who retired from professional baseball in 2010, The Golf Channel Amateur Tour has become a way to keep the competitive juices flowing, as opposed to taking prize money in celebrity tournaments (which ends amateur golf eligibility).
At PGA West over the weekend, Mulder posted rounds of 72-68 in the Western Masters, for a three stroke victory over first round leader and former professional (golfer that is) Tom Isaak of San Diego. The Western Masters is one of the Golf Channel Amateur Tour's major events. Clearly Mulder will qualify for the national championship as he did in 2012.
And he had to post a nice charge to win the title.
That's because Isaak, a high school math teacher, with a solid iron game and handy short game, posted an excellent 69 on the TPC Stadium Course on Saturday for the early lead.
Mulder positioned himself nicely at even par 72, but it was in the final round, where he caught fire. Mulder made 5 birdies and an eagle to get well into the red numbers at 4-under as Isaak -- who framed starting and ending birdies on Sunday with an amazing 16 straight pars, couldn't find his first round magic and finished second at 1-under.
Jeff Benton of Buckeye, Arizona finished third at 2-over 146.
Most Popular Articles
2025 PGA TOUR Q-School Guide: Sites, Scores, and Who Advanced
Dec 5, 2025Second Stage is complete and Final Stage awaits at Sawgrass — follow every Q-School leaderboard and the players still chasing
2025 LPGA TOUR Q-Series: Final Qualifying Stage FINAL SCORING
Dec 8, 2025Helen Briem earns medalist honors, 31 players headed to the LPGA next year
Australian Open at Royal Melbourne: Preview, amateur bios, and how to watch
Nov 30, 2025Rory McIlroy headlines one of the championship's top fields in years - at least four amateurs will have their chance at glory
Luke Ringkamp Cruises to Rolex Tournament of Champions Title at TPC San Antonio
Nov 26, 2025One week after committing to Pepperdine, Luke Ringkamp won the Rolex Tournament of Champions by nine shots.
Inside Gil Hanse’s Restoration of Baltusrol’s Upper Course: A Return to Tillinghast’s
Dec 11, 2025Renowned architect Gil Hanse reveals how he brought Baltusrol’s Upper Course back to life by honoring A.W. Tillinghast’s originalLoading latest news...