Matt Kuchar Wins The Barclays

Honestly, it just seemed like a matter of time before it happened. “It” meaning a win for Matt Kuchar in 2010 on the PGA Tour. All season long, it has felt like Kuchar has been one of the most consistent players on tour, and he finally cashed in today, as he defeated Martin Laird in a playoff to at The Barclays. And to add to that win, Kuchar now finds himself in the lead in the race for the FedEx Cup.

It didn’t seem like Kuchar had a chance to win it entering the final hole, but Martin Laird had a bad three putt on the hole, and that set up the playoff between the two. Kuchar was able to pick up the birdie on the first playoff hole, while Laird had to settle for the par, and with that, Kuchar secured himself the spot atop the FedEx Cup standings and also helped him back up the fact that he’s on the U.S. Ryder Cup team for the first time in his career.

The finish to this tournament was kind of surprising, as Laird had been playing some great golf all week, and you sort of felt like he could shoot low today in order to hold off everyone else. He had a three shot lead entering the final round, but after two birdies to start the round, he gave it right back with a double bogey on three, and then another bogey and four. But of course, the bogey on 18 didn’t help much either, as that was his chance to lock up the win, but the putter simply didn’t allow him to do that.

It’s great to see Kuchar get the win, because with the way he’s played throughout the entire season, it would have been a shame if he finished 2010 without a win. There’s a reason this guy made the Ryder Cup team, and he showed that with his final round today, and he proved he can make clutch shots when he needs to. I’m sure U.S. Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin was smiling from ear to ear as he watched the finish.

On a day where Colin Montgomerie announced his captain’s picks for the European team, a U.S. team participant picked up a huge win. And if Kuchar continues to play like this over the next month or so, he’s going to be a huge asset for the U.S. team at Celtic Manor in October.

Congrats to Kuchar on his first win of the season!

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