Newly-crowned RBC Heritage Classic winner Matt Kuchar has ruled out contesting July’s Scottish Open but the affable American has his sights squarely now set on September’s Ryder Cup.
Kuchar ended a run of sharing the lead with nine holes to play in his past three events to claim a seventh PGA Tour by brilliantly holing a 72nd hole bunker shot at Hilton Head.
Matt Kuchar competing in the 2012 Ryder Cup and now looking to compete later this year at Gleneagles. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)
The American responded to Lee Westwood’s Malaysian Open victory in relegating fellow Englishman Luke Donald into a second place for a third time at Hilton Head as Donald sought to not only win in the States for a first occasion in two years but boost his own Ryder Cup aspirations.
Kuchar’s played in the past two Ryder Cups and while he’s now firms as a favourite to win a first Major the 35-year old is licking his lips at the thought of competing in September in Scotland.
“I just love playing golf in Scotland and just looking forward to the Ryder Cup,” he said.
“It’s just not to be right in the mix for the Ryder Cup and I’m just excited about the Ryder Cup itself as you don’t want to miss out.”
And Kuchar says he doesn’t mind the thought of competing at Gleneagles against the 50-year old Miguel Angel Jimenez who capped his first-ever seniors tour event in denying defending champion Bernhard Langer to win the Greater Gwinnett Championship in suburban Atlanta.
Jimenez’s win has seen him move to 10th overall and just one place outside the Gleneagles automatic qualifiers.
“Miguel is just fantastic and what he did at the Masters the other week shows he’s on good form and if here were to make the European Team he would be a deserved player,” said Kuchar.
“So I have no problem if he makes the European Team and if he plays like he did at Augusta and in winning in Atlanta then he’s going to be a tough opponent.”
