HUNTER MAHAN has finished first and second the past two years in the Travelers Championship, this week's stop on the PGA Tour.

But, it is what he is doing in golf's majors that has people taking notice of his rising star in the sport.

He, along with Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, have finished in the top 10 of the two majors this season.

"I love playing majors," said Mahan at a Wednesday press conference. "I look forward to every one. Every one has its own kind of challenges. But just the atmosphere, the people in the crowd, you just have a sense that it's just the best kind of golf because it's hard, it's tough.

"You've got the best players in the world. They can't get lucky. There is not anybody that goes out there and wins or contends that hasn't been there before. It's just such a fair test. It's such a great test mentally and physically."

Mahan, a former star at Oklahoma State, has become one of the most consistent good young players on the PGA Tour in the last three years.

His recent sixth-place finish in the U.S. Open was his third straight top-20 finish in the Open.

He finished tied for 10th in the Masters earlier this season.

He's on the verge and certainly one of the players that will be on the radar for the next two majors this summer.

"I feel I can win any major," said Mahan last week.

Mahan was in the hunt during the final two days of the U.S. Open.

"I just feel so comfortable playing in a major," said Mahan. "You just kind of know what to expect because you know it's going to be hard. It's going to be a long, tough week. So, I just really enjoyed the challenge.

"My swing was really pretty much on track (last) week. So, the U.S. Open I think fit my game really well because I'm such a good driver and iron player that I feel pretty comfortable playing those type of courses."

On the final day, he was just one stroke behind the leader when he went to the 16th hole.

That's when one of those little things that can alter golf happened to Mahan.

His approach hit the flag stick and ricocheted to the edge of the green.

"Had an 8-iron down wind and just flushed it," said Mahan. "Felt as soon as I hit it felt awesome. And boy, I hit that thing pretty hard and it ricocheted off the green.

"That happens. It's a U.S. Open. You're going to get stuff like that."

Mahan is playing in the Travelers Championship this week and shot 4-under-par 66 in Thursday's opening round.

"I've had some good rounds here so now I just have confidence in what I can on this golf course," said Mahan. "I just have a lot of confidence when I step on the greens that I can make any putt.

"I just like the course, just the set up of it. It just suits my eye pretty well. I think it plays to my strengths, I guess. I feel like I'm a good driver of the ball, good ball striker. I just have a good touch around the greens. I feel like I can read the greens really well. I just kind of have a great sense, a great feel for them."

But, it is in the majors where he is making a name as a consistent challenger.

"Ryder Cup, playing the Tour, Torrey Pines (site of last year's U.S. Open)," said Mahan. "All that experience helps.

"Trying to win a major, it's tough. More chances you get being in tougher situations helps."

Mahan was considered one of the top young prospects when he left OSU early to pursue a pro career.

But, like so many young golf stars, success as an amateur and success on the PGA Tour are two entirely different situations. Yet, all the young guys just figure they will continue to win. It is a maturing process.

"I think everybody thinks that," said Mahan. "I thought that. Get on Tour and make some money. But, it's tough.

"I got drilled. That was not fun. It's a learning process. You can either grow from it or it knocks you down."

Mahan has certainly learned from it.