Mahan attends media day at Rock and Roll of Fame and Museum

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The World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational media day Monday had a different sound -- and location in 2011 -- it was conducted at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum on the on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland's North Coast Harbor.

Bridgestone Invitational defending champion Hunter Mahan -- who counts music as one of his favorite pastimes off the golf course, was present to answer questions from the media in attendance, take part in a charity shootout to benefit Northeast Ohio charities and -- of course -- to tour the legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Last year, Mahan captured his third career TOUR title at the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club down the road in Akron, overcoming a 4-stroke deficit in the final round. At the age of 29, Mahan is one of just four players under the age of 30 with three or more PGA TOUR victories -- the others are Dustin Johnson, Anthony Kim and Sean O'Hair.

Mahan has carried over his fine play this year, as he is currently fourth on the PGA TOUR in top-10 finishes with seven and is 17th in the current FedExCup standings after a T14 finish at last week's Memorial Tournament.

Monday, he talked about his appreciation of music, Firestone Country Club and what it takes to become one of the top professional golfers in the world.

"This morning, I Twittered I was going to the Bridgestone Invitational (media day) at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is pretty neat," said Mahan. "I've never been to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so this will be a great experience to tour the place and see the history.

His favorite band? Linkin Park.

"I know the bass player, he's a good friend of mine," Mahan said. "I liked them way before I got to meet him. It was incredible to meet a group you've idolized, they are a great group of guys. So that was kind of surreal and kind of neat at the same time."

About defending his title August 4-7, Mahan pointed to the golf course as one of the many reasons why it is a favorite on his schedule each year.

"Firestone Country Club is an awesome track -- you could poll all 70 players in the field, and all 70 are going to say they love to play it," said Mahan. "It can take any kind of winner. A guy hits hit it short, guy hits it long. It's a golf course we all love to play. To win a tournament like that with a major-like field, it's a big milestone for my career and definitely proud to be a champion."

Finally, Mahan was asked about some of the values he has taken since taking up the game at the age of nine.

"When I hit it in the trees, I'm not going to be too happy but I don't feel like I ever get too down on myself," he said. "The way I look at it, that is an opportunity to hit a great shot. Some of the best shots in the world have been made after some of the worst shots. It's an opportunity to succeed in a situation that might be tough. And that's how you have to treat it."

Following the press conference, Mahan took part in a shootout on the shore of Lake Erie with local television personalities, a 50-yard shot aimed at a large, inflatable Bridgestone tire. Each participant that hit the tire generated a $1,000 donation to a Northeast Ohio charity. Three of the four participants hit the tire, and Mahan hit the tire on his second attempt, so all charities -- the local First Tee Chapter, Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital in Cleveland, Boys and Girls Club and Berea Children's Home and the Red Cross received $1,000.

These four organizations are among the many charities that receive funds totaling $800,000 on a yearly basis, distributed through the event's partner, Northern Ohio Golf Charities. More than $20 million has been given to worthy causes seeking to improve the quality of life in Northeast Ohio.