Hunter Mahan is now a hero to expectant mothers around the world.

OK, he’s not exactly a household name, but he’s going to become one in short order.

Mahan is a professional golfer. This past week he was leading the Canadian Open after the first round when his cellphone rang. His pregnant wife was on the other end telling her hubby she was going into labor. With that bit of news, Mahan said “goodbye” to his caddie and his fellow golf pros and headed home to be at his wife’s side.

This is a big deal for a couple of reasons.

First of all, it demonstrates to men all over the planet the importance of family. No matter how important you think your job may be, or how big a deal it is for you to complete whatever transaction in which you are engaged, nothing matters if you don’t take care of things at home.

Second, Mahan stood to make a lot of money this weekend. Had he kept his lead at the Canadian Open and won the event, he would have pocketed more than a million bucks. That’s a lot of money in anyone’s book, but the young man has made a good bit more than that already on the Professional Golfers Association tour. I don’t think it’s money he would dismiss as so much chump change.

I trust his wife – despite his surrendering a substantial payday – was glad to see him.

With all the male misbehavior being reported these days in and out of the sports world, this story ought to make any red-blooded man – not to mention expectant mothers – feel good. Well done, Hunter.