Gritty Matt claims first title of year

Aug 31, 2010 |

New Jersey, Aug. 30: Matt Kuchar beat Scotland’s Martin Laird on the first playoff hole to win The Barclays tournament Sunday as Tiger Woods easily advanced to the second round of the PGA Tour’s playoff series.

American Kuchar posted his first win of 2010 in tremendous fashion. He hit a superb seven-iron approach shot on the only hole of the playoff as his ball caught the edge of the slope and curled around the green to just 76 centimetres (30 inches) from the cup. He tapped in for birdie and finished with a five-under 66.

“The shot came out beautifully,” said Kuchar who started the day five shots adrift of the lead. “I ran it up to that back right bank. I knew it was getting good. That was an exciting way to cap off this tournament.”

Laird looked like he was headed to victory on the final hole of regulation but he three-putted from inside 25 feet to set up a playoff.

“Obviously, not the finish I was looking for,” said Laird, who shot a 71. “I was kind of battling all day, and probably holed two or three of the biggest putts I’ve ever holed just to be where I was.” Kuchar posted his third PGA Tour victory in as many years getting to 12-under 272.

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