Kuchar is treated for dizziness during round, shoots 71 in Canada

OAKVILLE, ONTARIO — If anybody can survive losing a duel with Jordan Spieth at the British Open, it is Matt Kuchar, golf ’s Mr. Sunshine.

With his boyish smile, stoic grace and aw-shucks Georgia demeanor, Kuchar, 39, has the temperament to deal with his disappointment at Royal Birkdale on Sunday, even if it proves to be his last best chance to win a major title.

But four days later, there were signs that the Spieth Effect may have had some dizzying repercussions.

Playing in the rain at the Canadian Open on Thursday, Kuchar started to feel lightheaded near the end of his first round, a feeling he later said he had not experienced before.

After receiving medical attention he finished with a 1-under-par 71, carding four birdies in the round, with a bogey and a double bogey coming on his second nine.

“I don’t know where it came from,” Kuchar said in a brief statement. “I’ve had plenty of time to get over the travel. Hopefully it’s something that passes real quick.”

Bubba Watson, who played in Kuchar’s group, said he suspected that Kuchar used a lot of energy going toe-totoe with Spieth, who rallied over the last five holes Sunday to beat Kuchar by three strokes, and then immediately flying across the Atlantic to play in Canada.

“But he’s a strong competitor and he’s fighting through it,” Watson said. “He’ll be ready to go by tomorrow and the weekend.”

The day before, Kuchar reflected on how good his game had been lately, although steady golf was not good enough to win last weekend.

“Jordan, what a show he put on,” Kuchar said. “That was impressive stuff.”

Kuchar, who went to Georgia Tech, has won seven times on the PGA Tour, but his best finish at a major before Sunday was a tie for third in the 2012 Masters. He is well aware that the clock is ticking on winning a major tournament.

“You’re only given X number of opportunities,” he said. “One just went by.”

Along with tending to his own feelings, Kuchar has spent time consoling his sons, Cameron, 9, and Carson, 8, who were in tears when their father walked off the course without the British Open title.