Hunter Mahan, the leader after 36 holes, withdrew from the PGA Canadian Open on Saturday after learning that his wife was preparing to give birth to their first child.

The 31-year-old American was on the practice range at Glen Abbey after his start to the third round was delayed by a storm in the area when he received a call on his cell phone.

Moments later, Mahan pulled out and left the course for the Toronto airport, set to make a 2 1/2-hour flight to Dallas to be with his wife, Kandi, after she went into labor. She was expected to give birth to a daughter, which they had planned to name Zoe, in three weeks.

“I received exciting news a short time ago that my wife Kandi has gone into labor with our first child,” Mahan said in a statement released after his departure. “As a result, I have withdrawn from the Canadian Open to return to Dallas.

“Kandi and I are thrilled about this addition to the Mahan family and we look forward to returning to the Canadian Open in the coming years.”

Mahan shot 67-64 to take a two-shot lead over John Merrick heading into Saturday’s round. With Mahan’s WD, Merrick moved into the lead, and he was to play alone in the final group.

The situation evoked memories of Phil Mickelson at the 1998 US Open at Pinehurst when the US left-hander, who won last week’s British Open, was playing with a cell phone in his bag awaiting news that his wife Amy was going into labor. Mickelson contended for the title but finished second and became a father the next day.