Kuchar Rallies to Victory in RBC Heritage


Matt Kuchar fired a 7-under 64 to overcome a four-stroke deficit to 54-hole leader Luke Donald and win the RBC Heritage. The $5.8 million event took place at Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head, S.C.

The 36-year-old Kuchar, coming off a tie for fifth in last week's Masters, got red-hot right out of the gate on Sunday at the Pete Dye-designed course, carding six birdies on the opening nine to make the turn in 6-under 30.

Though he cooled a bit on the home half, Kuchar followed up a three-putt bogey on the par-3 17th with a clutch birdie out of a greenside bunker on the last to finish at 11-under 273, a stroke ahead of Donald.

"That was really exciting," Kuchar said of jarring his bunker shot during a TV interview. "It was so thrilling to see that ball disappear . . . I didn't know what to do," he added of his excited reaction. "It's something I'll never forget."

As for his bogey on 17, the seven-time Tour winner said he quickly forgot about it. "I know I'm a good putter, I don't three-putt from 4 feet."

For Donald, who ended up at 10-under after closing with a 69, it was another disappointment at Harbour Town. The 36-year-old, who now makes Chicago home, has three runner-ups in the past six years at the Heritage. He lost in a playoff in 2011 to Brandt Snedeker and has five top-three finishes since 2009.

"Disappointed to finish second," Donald said later. "I've come so close to winning this tournament."

Ben Martin, who won twice on the Web.com Tour last year, had a nice tournament. The 26-year-old Georgian closed with a 4-under 67 to share third with John Huh (68) at 9-under 275. Scott Brown (67) and Brian Stuard (68) tied for fifth at 277.

Jim Furyk (70) and Brian Harman (69) ended up in seventh at 6-under, while another stroke back were William McGirt (66), Rory Sabbatini (68) and Russell Knox (70).

Stuart Appleby, Jordan Spieth, Matt Every, Jason Kokrak, Charl Schwartzel and Nicholas Thompson tied for 12th at 280.

British amateur Matthew Fitzpatrick shot an even-par 71 to finish in a tie for 23rd at 282 with Robert Allenby and major champions Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell. McDowell won the Heritage last year.

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