MARANA, Ariz. — Matt Kuchar finally put Hunter Mahan in a hole and then answered every challenge yesterday to win the Match Play Championship.
Mahan had gone 169 holes over 11 matches without trailing in this wild tournament until Kuchar won the fourth hole of their championship match with a par, and Mahan never caught up. Kuchar took advantage of a series of miscues to build a 4-up lead at the turn, and then held off a noble challenge by the defending champion.
There was never a dull moment on the back nine. Only two holes were halved, and those were with birdies.
The match ended when Mahan went from a tough lie in the bunker to a bush in the desert, and it took him four shots to reach the 17th green. Kuchar wound up winning, 2 and 1, when Mahan removed the stocking cap he used to fight the cold desert air and conceded Kuchar a short birdie putt.
“To come out on top after six matches of playing the top 64 guys in the world, it’s an incredible feeling,” said Kuchar, who won $1.5 million.
It was the first World Golf Championship title for Kuchar, who moves to No. 8 in the world.
Jason Day defeated Ian Poulter in the consolation match, 1 up.