Kuchar claims Barclays title in playoff

Associated Press

PARAMUS, N.J.

Matt Kuchar stopped practicing for a playoff and walked over to the 18th green to watch with thousands of other spectators, planning to congratulate Martin Laird on the victory. A short time later, the celebration was for Kuchar.

His fortunes took quite a turn Sunday at The Barclays.

So did his golf ball.

Kuchar gave the FedEx Cup playoffs a memorable start with a 7-iron out of the rough that sent his ball toward the back of the green, where it caught enough of the slope to turn sharply to the left and roll to within 30 inches of the hole for a birdie.

“The shot came out beautifully,” he said. “I ran it up to that back right bank and saw the crowd just all of a sudden ... like a wave of people standing and cheering. I knew it was getting good. That was an exciting way to cap off this tournament.”

Five shots behind to start the final round, Kuchar closed with a 5-under 66 and got into a playoff when Laird three-putted for bogey from just inside 25 feet on the final hole.

The timing could not have been better for Kuchar.

He had nine top 10s this year to earn a spot on his first Ryder Cup team, but didn’t have a trophy to show for his solid play. The victory put him atop the FedEx Cup standings, giving him a good shot at the $10 million prize. And the third victory of his career likely will move him to a career-best No. 10 in the world ranking.

Without a victory, Kuchar still would have been happy with his season.

“To win,” he said, “it’s an incredible year. There’s nothing like the feeling of winning a PGA Tour golf tournament. You feel like you’re the best player in the world for this week. It’s just an amazing feeling to think there’s 125 of the best players in the world this week, and I came out first.”

Tiger Woods continues to make progress, which in this case means he gets to keep going.

Woods, who started these playoffs at No. 112 in the standings, closed with a 4-under 67 to easily make the top 100 who advance to the second round next week at the Deutsche Bank Championship. Woods tied for 12th, his best finish since June, and moved up to No. 65.

Laird, who recovered from a shaky start, looked just as shaky at the end, especially with his putter.

He was tied with Kuchar when he had a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-5 17th, only to roll it nearly 8 feet beyond the hole. He made that birdie putt to take the lead.

“I knew I had a chance of Martin only making par on 17. I thought that was probably my best chance,” Kuchar said. “And once he hit that great shot just to the back fringe on 18, I was pretty much shutting down my practice session. I went over and just was a spectator thinking that he’s got this wrapped up.”