Hunter Mahan leaves $1 million PGA tournament he was winning to attend birth of child

Hunter Mahan may have walked away from $1 million but the pro golfer has a new baby girl in his arms - and a "very nice baby gift" on the way from a competitor.

On Saturday, Mahan was on top of the leaderboard at the Canadian Open when his wife unexpectedly went into labor. The golfer bolted home to Dallas and on Sunday, he proudly announced the birth of his daughter via Twitter:

Mahan held a two-stroke lead heading into the final round at the tournament in Oakville, Ontario. But his wife Kandi went into labor a month before her due date, prompting the 31-year-old golfer to leave the country and potentially walk away from the $1 million prize money.

Mahan later tweeted:

Brandt Snedeker, who ended up winning the tournament, praised Mahan's decision - and his wife's timing.

"Zoe will be getting a very nice baby gift from me," Snedeker said. "I can't thank Kandi enough for going into labor early. I don't know if I'd be sitting here if she hadn't. But that is a way more important thing than a golf tournament. I missed a golf tournament when my first was born, and it was the best decision I ever made. I'm sure Hunter would say the same thing."

Mahan has not won a tournament this year, but he's made over $2.3 million in 2013 on the strength of four top 10 finishes.

Mahan isn't the first professional athlete to bolt mid-competition to witness the birth of a child. Last September, Boston Red Sox star Dustin Pedroia was informed that his wife was in labor in the 7th inning of a game, prompting him to scamper off the field, high-fiving his teammates.