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Matt Kuchar: FedEx Cup Contender or Pretender?

By Tim Letcher

PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Matt Kuchar of the United States acknowledges fans after making a birdie on the 13th green during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on February 13, 2020 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Matt Kuchar of the United States acknowledges fans after making a birdie on the 13th green during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on February 13, 2020 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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Matt Kuchar has contended for the FedEx Cup in the past. Can he contend again this year?

Matt Kuchar has spent his career right on the cusp of being a superstar. Just when it seems he’s ready to take the next step, he doesn’t.

Kuchar has had a more than successful career. He has been on the PGA Tour since 2002 and has won nine official tour events. Nine wins, that’s a solid number and more than most tour players will achieve during their careers.

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However, for Kuchar, that number seems low. When he came to the tour, after a successful amateur career that included the 1998 U.S. Amateur title, it seemed like Kuchar had all of the tools to be the next great American player. Plus, he had a million dollar smile and a seemingly modest personality that gave him even more appeal.

In 2002, he won the Honda Classic, a win that seemed to be a statement that Kuchar was here to compete with the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. But while that seemed to be his destiny, it never materialized.

In fact, Kuchar did not win again on tour over the next six years. He did have success during that time, but also had to return to the Korn Ferry Tour to regain his tour card.

Kuchar won once in 2009 (Turning Stone Resort Championship) and 2010 (The Barclays). In fact, 2010 was probably the best year of Kuchar’s career. He won the Vardon Trophy and the Byron Nelson Award, went 2-1-1 in the Ryder Cup and finished second in the FedEx Cup standings.

The following season, Kuchar was sixth in the FedEx Cup standings. He also placed in the top 10 in 2013 (sixth) and 2014 (eighth). He has not finished that high since then.

Kuchar is currently 46th in this year’s FedEx Cup standings. He has made six cuts in eight starts with a tie for second at the Genesis Invitational in February.

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Kuchar is likely past his prime and has shown no signs of competing for the FedEx Cup in almost a decade. Unless he has some kind of miraculous summer, he’s a pretender for the 2020 FedEx Cup.

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