Kuchar holds steady to clinch Players title

Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida: American Matt Kuchar won the Players Championship on Sunday by two shots to secure the biggest win of his career and a $1.71 million (Dh6.28 million) pay cheque.

To the delight of his watching family, Kuchar shot a final round two-under 70 to finish 13-under for the tournament, two clear of Briton Martin Laird (67) and Americans Zach Johnson (68), Rickie Fowler (70) and Ben Curtis (68).

Overnight leader Kevin Na had a disappointing finish, making six bogeys in a 76 that saw him slip back into a tie for seventh, a day after being heckled by spectators for his slow play and constant practice shots.

Tiger Woods ended well down the field at joint 40th after shooting a 73 to finish one-under.

England's Luke Donald finished strongly with a 66 that elevated him to sixth, four strokes behind Kuchar, but not enough for him to regain top place in the world rankings from Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut.

Third at Masters

Kuchar, who tied for third at the Masters, consistently avoided trouble on the final day on a course that severely punishes inaccuracy.

While his challengers stumbled at various hurdles, the American kept out of water and greenside sand throughout a confident 18 holes. "You think of this as one of the strongest fields in golf and to come out as champion is an amazing feeling," the 33-year-old told reporters.

Kuchar, who found 10 of 14 fairways and struck 15 greens in regulation, wrapped up the tournament when he coolly sunk a 15-foot birdie putt on the 16th to surge three strokes clear.

Final scores

Scores on Sunday after the fourth round of the $9.5 million US PGA Players Championship (USA unless noted, par-72):

275 — Matt Kuchar 68-68-69-70

277 — Martin Laird (SCO) 65-73-72-67, Zach Johnson 70-66-73-68, Rickie Fowler 72-69-66-70, Ben Curtis 68-71-70-68

279 — Luke Donald (ENG) 72-69-72-66

280 — Bo Van Pelt 71-70-70-69, Jhonattan Vegas (VEN) 68-74-68-70, Kevin Na 67-69-68-76

281 — David Toms 69-74-73-65, Carl Pettersson (SWE) 71-72-69-69

282 — Geoff Ogilvy (AUS) 70-73-70-69, Blake Adams 66-73-72-71, Jonathan Byrd 68-70-72-72

283 — Bob Estes 73-69-76-65, Peter Hanson (SWE) 73-71-71-68, Spencer Levin 74-68-72-69, Henrik Stenson (SWE) 71-71-71-70, Adam Scott (AUS) 68-70-74-71, Brendon de Jonge (ZIM) 69-71-72-71, Martin Kaymer (GER) 73-69-70-71, David Mathis 72-71-69-71

284 — Chris Couch 72-71-71-70, John Huh 75-66-72-71