Kuchar survives scare to end four-year title drought
MEXICO CITY: Matt Kuchar survived a late scare to clinch his first title in four years on Sunday with a one-shot victory at the PGA Tour’s Mayakoba Classic in Playa del Carmen.
The 40-year-old American, who had started the final round with a four-shot lead, squeezed home ahead of New Zealand’s Danny Lee after posting a two-underpar 69.
“I didn’t want a three-footer on the last hole,” Kuchar said. “I was hoping to have a three or four-shot lead for some wiggle room. But man, that felt awfully good.”
Lee had surged up the leaderboard after a six-under-par 65 to ramp up the pressure on Kuchar at the Camaleon Golf Club Course.
The 40-year-old Kuchar looked to be comfortably on course for the win after two birdies and seven pars on the front nine saw him reach the turn at two under.
A long birdie putt from off the green at the 11th followed by a further birdie at the 13th left the world No.40 cruising towards the title at 24 under.
But back-to-back bogeys on the 14th and 15th, and Lee’s final round, left Kuchar only one shot clear heading to the 18th.
Kuchar however was not about to be denied his first win since 2014 and he duly parred the par-four 18th to secure the victory.
Last season Kuchar failed to make the US Ryder Cup team for the first time in a decade and finished out of the top 10 in the FedExCup standings for the first time since 2007.
“My 2018 wasn’t what I wanted,” said Kuchar. “This is a high note. It’s amazing thing to get a win. I go from ‘Hola’ to ‘Aloha.’ I’m pretty excited about that.”
LEADING FINAL ROUND SCORES
(par-71, USA unless stated) 262 — Matt Kuchar 64-64-65-69
263 — Danny Lee (NZL) 65-66-67-65
265 — J.J. Spaun 69-65-65-66, Richy Werenski 65-66-67-67
266 — Brice Garnett 68-67-65-66