Across the pond

Matt Kuchar has played the British

Open 13 times, beginning in 1998. In his prior 12 appearances before finishing as runner-up on Sunday, he failed to make the cut six times. Kuchar’s best finish prior to Sunday had been a tie for ninth in 2012. 50-foot putt for eagle on No. 15, and making a 30-foot putt across the 16th green for birdie. Kuchar played Nos. 14-17 in 2 under but was two shots behind going down the 18th fairway, where he still “took a moment and thought, ‘This is an amazing thing.’ ”

“Matt didn’t lose the tournament at all today,” Spieth said. “He played well down the stretch. I mean, I just had my long putts go in, his didn’t. That was simply it.”

“I believe Matt Kuchar will win a major championship. And I believe that he’ll do it sometime soon. He’s a great champion and he’s such a great person. And he’s a great individual to look up to.”

Kuchar, ranked No. 18, is age 39 and this was his ninth top-10 finish at a major. It was his second experience of being in genuine contention on the back nine of a major, after the Masters in 2012 when he was tied for the lead after playing the 15th hole on Sunday. He bogeyed the 16th and finished third.

His game and temperament held up at Birkdale, shooting 66-69 on the weekend. He kept that trademark smile on his face, through the ups and downs. As much as this one stings, he is confident he’ll come again.

“To be so close, to taste a victory and not be able to get it, it’s hard,” Kuchar said. “But I’ll look forward to the challenge of trying again.”