Golf

Family Surprises Golfer On Day He Finishes Second at British Open

By Jason Romano Jul 24, 2017
April 11, 2012 - Hilton Head, South Carolina. PGA Tour Player Matt Kuchar at the RBC Heritage Practice Round.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”

That quote from the book ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ defined the day for PGA Tour player Matt Kuchar.

At the Open Championship Sunday in Southport, England, Kuchar found himself one shot ahead of Jordan Spieth after the 13th hole of the final round before Spieth went on an epic run over the last 5 holes to win the tournament.

Kuchar would finish second, his highest finish in a Major in his career. But the disappointment of not winning his first golf Major was quickly put on hold when he was on the 18th hole and looked to see his wife Sybi and his two sons Cameron and Carson.

They had flown to England on Saturday night to surprise Matt and possibly be there for him to win his first Major. Alas, that didn’t happen, but Kuchar said seeing his family was one of the best surprises he could have ever imagined.

“I talked to them last night on the phone,” Kuchar told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  “I thought they were in Colorado. It was a great surprise. A teary surprise. And it’s great to have people to share things with, have loved ones here. They’re a big support team. Golf is a selfish game, and what they go through, it’s an amazing support to help me try to be my best. It was very, very cool to have them here.”

Kuchar finished the Open Championship at -9 and collected $1,067,000 for his runner-up finish.

“Man, it was exciting out there, having chance to win a The Open,” Kuchar said. “The crowds were just fantastic. I don’t know what the numbers were, but they were deep. It was really fun to be in the arena having a chance to put your name on the Claret Jug.”

Kuchar, from Atlanta, is a Christian and has been a player on the PGA tour now since 2002. He has the distinction of being the highest-earning active full-time PGA Tour player without a major championship win, with career earnings of over $38 million. (source – ESPN)