Matt and Cameron Kuchar shot a tournament-record 54 on the second and final day of the PNC Championship to land their first title in the father-son event on Sunday in Orlando, Fla.
Playing a scramble format, Team Kuchar carded 14 birdies, two eagles and just two pars for the 18-under-par round at Ritz-Carlton Golf Club. After starting the day with the lead, the Kuchars cruised to a seven-stroke victory at 33-under 111.
Matt Kuchar set up both of his team’s eagles, first with a draw shot at the par-5 third that left Cameron an easy putt, then again at the par-5 18th when he stuck his shot inside 3 feet and could be seen fighting through tears.
It led to an outpouring of emotion afterwards from the 47-year-old PGA Tour vet, whose father, Peter, died early this year.
“I don’t know if you believe in karma, if you believe in fate, whatever you believe in, there’s something — something magical that does exist,” Matt Kuchar said. “I’m a believer in God that Dad is up above looking down, and that — what happened on 18, I could hardly stand up and hit a shot. For me to hit it to a foot, makes me think there’s something more out there. (I) just miss — miss Pops.”
Cameron Kuchar explained just how fun it was to win the event with his dad and to play excellent golf along the way.
“That was amazing,” he said. “I wasn’t keeping as much track today as I was yesterday but I probably made five or six solo birdies. Every now and then, I would let him know, ‘All right, I made that one myself.’ But he also made a few solos and he’d come right back and he’d go, ‘That was all me right there.’ It was just fun just going back-and-forth like that.”
Team Love (Davis Love III and Dru Love) shot a 58 to move to 26 under par and tie for second with Team Daly (John Daly, John Daly II), who carded a 59.
Rounding out the top five, both Team Korda (Nelly Korda, Petr Korda) and Team Stricker (Steve Stricker, Izzi Stricker) finished at 25 under. Both teams shot 59 in the final round.
–Field Level Media
