Tennis is big hit as Kuchar unwinds

SPENDING the day hitting a tennis ball rather than a golf ball has Team USA talisman Matt Kuchar primed to return to winning form in this week’s World Cup of Golf in Melbourne.

World No. 29 Kuchar will partner Kyle Stanley ( No. 30) at the Metropolitan golf course with the American pair opening their account this morning alongside the Australian team of Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith. Kuchar, 40, arrived in Sydney last week from Mexico where he ended a four- year title drought on the PGA Tour.

But he was unable to continue that run at the Australian Open, fading in the final two rounds to tie for 23rd.

Kuchar said the result hadn’t dented his belief.

“Winning a tournament on the PGA Tour is hard to do and when you do it, you’ve got a great buzz going and a great sense of confidence and I’m hoping to keep it going,” he said yesterday.

Feeling his game was in good shape Kuchar decided to prepare for the World Cup by trading his golf clubs for a tennis racquet.

“I had a day off and played some tennis with the family and I got on the Australian Open tennis courts which was a real thrill,” Kuchar said.

“And I think when you’re excited to be somewhere, you’ve got tons of energy.”

Kuchar hoped to leverage off the hometown support for the Australians to get off to a flying start in the four- ball ( best ball) format today.

“It’s awesome to play with the Australians,” Kuchar said. “They’ve got a good team – Leish ( Leishman) has been playing great, and Cam ( Smith) had a very good year.

“I’m sure there will be some great crowds following them and hopefully a few supporters for Team USA.”

In the last instalment of the World Cup in 2016, held at nearby Kingston Heath, the American team of Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker finished in a three- way tie for second behind Denmark.