Kuchar rewarded at Barclays
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2010 The Barclays | Round Four | 30 Aug 2010
Matt Kuchar was finally rewarded for his consistency in 2010 when he birdied the first extra hole at the Barclays Championship to defeat Scotland’s Martin Laird and claim the first of the Fed Ex Cup playoff events.
The victory swept Kuchar to the top of the FedEx Cup points table in the race for the US$10 million on offer to the ultimate winner of this season’s FedEx Cup Playoffs at the Tour Championship.
A three putt from 25 feet at the final hole of regulation by the 54 hole leader, Laird, opened the door for Kuchar and although perhaps a little lucky with his approach to the 18th the second time around, few would begrudge him his victory.
Kuchard had already recorded nine top tens in his season to date and appeared headed for yet another near miss with just three holes to play. A birdie at the 16th from 9 feet and a two putt birdie at the 16th after a superb second took him to 12 under and into a tie with Laird.
Leading into the final day, Laird appeared to be on track for his second PGA Tour title when he birdied the opening two holes but a double bogey at the third after struggling around the green at the par five. He matched birdies with bogeys until the 17th when he holed a tough ten foot birdie putt to move one ahead before the three putt at the last.
For Kuchar it was his third PGA Tour victory just twelve months after the second but a massive eight years after his first at the Honda Classic in 2002. The former US Amateur Champion had already secured a Ryder Cup place prior to this week’s event but this victory makes his greatest season in the game even sweeter.
Steve Stricker and Kevin Streelman tied for third while Jason Day, Ryan Palmer, Rory Sabbatini and Vaughn Taylor shared 5th position.
Day was very much in the hunt for the first prize until a double bogey at the 9th after being caught up in the rough short of the green cost him dearly.
Day however earned US$263,000 for the effort and moves his earnings beyond US$2.1 million for the season. Amongst the Australians he is behind only Robert Allenby on this season’s money list.
Adam Scott did well to finish 9th and showed signs that a return to a previous winning venue next week in Boston could yield dividends, while John Senden was the next best of the Australians in 15th position.
The PGA Tour moves north to Boston for this week’s Deutsche Bank Championship.
