Matt Kuchar :: ‘I love coming to Scotland’

Kuchar echoes those sentiments. “Davis really was fantastic in 2012 at Medinah and I really enjoyed playing for him,” he said. “Don’t forget, he got us into a position where we were four points ahead going into the final day. There’s not much more you can ask. So, he’ll be great and it’s exciting to have him back in the job again.”

Kuchar and Love have become friends through living in the same neighbourhood in Sea Island, Georgia. “We’ve got to know each other pretty well,” he adds.

With Love at the helm, Kuchar is optimistic that the USA’s recent run of Ryder Cup defeats will be reversed. “The last few matches have been really, really close. Sure, the history books will show thatEurope has won the last three but there was only a point between the teams in 2010 and 2012, and 2014 was close as well, which I think makes it all pretty exciting.”

Kuchar’s affection for the Ryder Cup is almost infectious. Even though he has become one of the mainstays of the American side in recent years, he still appreciates the contest from a fan’s perspective.

“It’s amazing to be part of,” he adds. “At Medinah, I didn’t play in the alternate shot session on the opening morning but I can remember waking up and watching it on TV being so excited to just watch it, you know, as a fan. Then, the realisation hit me that I was going to be inside the ropes, probably that afternoon, hitting the shots and contributing to the outcome. That was pretty cool. The thrill of the Ryder Cup is unlike any other event. It’s very exciting to be part of.”

Away from golf

Life as a tour pro doesn’t leave much time for anything else. Travelling from venue to venue and, quite often, country to country turns years into months, months into weeks and weeks into days. So, you might assume that Kuchar would just want to put his feet up during those precious few weeks he has at home. You’d also be wrong.

“Our family is very ‘outdoors-y’,” he laughs. “We love playing sports, going for hikes and such like so, when we’re not at a tournament, we’re usually away playing games or out in the environment on a walk, on our bikes, getting in the water. We’re always doing something, put it that way.”

He adds: “There’s not a whole lot of ‘sitting around time’ for Matt Kuchar and family. It’s very rare you’ll find us with our feet up. We’re always busy trying to cram as much into our days and our lives as we possibly can. It’s a lot of fun.”

There it is again: that smile. One that no amount of erratic Scottish weather can turn upside down.

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Matt Kuchar in bunkered

This interview with Matt Kuchar first appeared in Issue 141 of bunkered (July 2015).

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor