Some people know him as Matt Kuchar, but we here in the Lowcountry know him as “Kuuuuuch!!!!!!”
Matt Kuchar has been one of the favorites here at the RBC Heritage for years. The 2014 Heritage champ has been historically good on this course over the years, and that continued with a 4-under-par 67 in Thursday’s opening round.
The amazing bunker shot that gave Kuchar the lead on the 72nd hole in 2014 ranks among the most clutch shots in Heritage history, and he has quite a history at Harbour Town. After missing the cut his first time here in 2003, he has stayed through Sunday in his last 19 appearances, and he could use a strong finish this week.
Kuchar’s best finish so far this season was a couple weeks ago at the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio, where he tied for 18th, but the results on the leaderboard have been the farthest thing from his mind for most of the year after his father, Peter, passed away unexpectedly in February. Kuchar withdrew from that week’s WM Phoenix Open and took two weeks off before returning at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches, where he tied for 56th.
A tie for 42nd at The Players Championship was followed by a missed cut at the Valspar Championship, but Kuchar got back on the right track in Texas, and after missing out on the Masters, he’s fresh for a reset here on Hilton Head Island. Kuchar was among the first three groups to hit the links Thursday morning, and he started strong, taking advantage of calm conditions to card birdies on Nos. 2, 4, and 7 before a bogey on the par-4 ninth brought him back to 2 under heading to the back.
Birdies at the par-4 13th and the par-5 15th put him among the leaders heading toward Calibogue Sound, but he couldn’t get another birdie putt to drop.
Kuchar gets a hero’s welcome at every turn around Harbour Town, and he’s been responsible for plenty of roars that echo among the sea pines. At age 46, the Heritage mainstay and fan favorite might not have many more opportunities to compete for a tartan jacket, but if he finds himself in the mix on Sunday, the galleries will be bellowing his name — or at least the first syllable.
By Max Arraj / LowcoSports.com
Max Arraj is a Lowcountry native and an alum of Hilton Head Christian Academy. He is an aspiring sports broadcaster and journalist.