Kuchar ‘feels great’ after Memorial win
Woods hopes to work on his game before US Open.
Matt Kuchar joined world number one Tiger Woods as the only multiple winners on the US PGA Tour this season. PHOTO: AFP
DUBLIN:
Matt Kuchar was ecstatic after winning the US PGA Tour’s $6.2 million Memorial tournament by two strokes as he capped a four-under par 68 with a birdie at the final hole.
American Kevin Chappell closed with a bogey-free round in the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event at Muirfield Village, while Kyle Stanley was third after a 71 for 281.
“This stuff never gets old,” said Kuchar, whose young sons Cameron and Carson were at the 18th to help him celebrate. “To shake Mr Nicklaus’s hand, to win the tournament, that’s pretty great. But to have my family run onto the green, this is as special as it gets.”
Kuchar joined world number one Tiger Woods as the only multiple winners on the US PGA Tour this season.
Woods, a four-time winner already in 2013 and a five-time Memorial champion, wrapped up a disappointing final tune-up for the US Open with an even-par 72 that left him on eight-over 296.
“It happens,” said Woods. “It happens to us all.”
Woods said he had worked on all aspects of his game before the second major of the year.
“You want everything clicking on all cylinders, especially at the US Open, because everything is tested in the US Open.”
But he will no doubt pay close attention to putting, after struggling on the greens all week.
“I had bad speed all week. I thought the greens didn’t look that fast, but they were putting fast. I could never get the speed of them.”
World number two Rory McIlroy, also making his last scheduled start before the US Open, fought back to make the cut and also closed out his week with an even-par round for a six-over total of 294.
“I found a couple of little things this weekend,” said McIlroy. “I hit the ball much better today. I actually putted a little better, too ... It’s not that far away.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2013.
Matt Kuchar was ecstatic after winning the US PGA Tour’s $6.2 million Memorial tournament by two strokes as he capped a four-under par 68 with a birdie at the final hole.
American Kevin Chappell closed with a bogey-free round in the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event at Muirfield Village, while Kyle Stanley was third after a 71 for 281.
“This stuff never gets old,” said Kuchar, whose young sons Cameron and Carson were at the 18th to help him celebrate. “To shake Mr Nicklaus’s hand, to win the tournament, that’s pretty great. But to have my family run onto the green, this is as special as it gets.”
Kuchar joined world number one Tiger Woods as the only multiple winners on the US PGA Tour this season.
Woods, a four-time winner already in 2013 and a five-time Memorial champion, wrapped up a disappointing final tune-up for the US Open with an even-par 72 that left him on eight-over 296.
“It happens,” said Woods. “It happens to us all.”
Woods said he had worked on all aspects of his game before the second major of the year.
“You want everything clicking on all cylinders, especially at the US Open, because everything is tested in the US Open.”
But he will no doubt pay close attention to putting, after struggling on the greens all week.
“I had bad speed all week. I thought the greens didn’t look that fast, but they were putting fast. I could never get the speed of them.”
World number two Rory McIlroy, also making his last scheduled start before the US Open, fought back to make the cut and also closed out his week with an even-par round for a six-over total of 294.
“I found a couple of little things this weekend,” said McIlroy. “I hit the ball much better today. I actually putted a little better, too ... It’s not that far away.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 4th, 2013.