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Waste Management Phoenix Open: Power ranking the top 10

By Mike Randleman

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: General view of the gallery on the 16th hole during the third round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 3, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 03: General view of the gallery on the 16th hole during the third round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 3, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
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SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 05: Matt Kuchar plays a tee shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 5, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 05: Matt Kuchar plays a tee shot on the 16th hole during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 5, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Matt Kuchar took a couple weeks off to recharge the batteries after winning the Sony Open by four shots (63-63-66-66). That was the 40-year-old’s second win in his last four starts worldwide counting a one-shot win at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in November.

He was previously winless since 2015, so maybe now that the monkey’s off his back he’ll continue to turn what were previously top-10s into more wins. The Waste Management Phoenix Open is one tournament at which he’s trying to break through.

Kuch’s T5 last year (71-68-64-67) was his third around TPC Scottsdale in eight starts. He struggled here as a youngster but has finished T33 or better each of his last five trips.

He’s been hitting lots of fairways this season (third on Tour) and while he’s been sacrificing distance off the tee (119th), namely at the short Waialae at the Sony Open, he can still get it out there long enough to contend.

Kuchar’s strokes gained stats around the green and putting are surprisingly not as robust as you’d think, but he should get that squared away soon. He was 39th and 31st, respectively, last season.

Kuchar is also the 20th best player on Bermuda grass since 2014.

He’s hopeful to keep up his strong play into his 40’s.

“I would certainly like to. He set a great example,” Kuchar said after the Sony Open when asked if he could have a post-40 career like Vijay Singh’s. “Certainly showed that is possible. A number of guys showed that it is possible. It’s nice to know that. It’s not like you hit 40 and you have to go away. There are guys that have done great. Certainly I’m off to a way better start than I would’ve expected. Feels good. I hope to continue did.”

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