It was a heartwarming moment that soothed the heartache.
Matt Kuchar had The Open’s famed Claret Jug in his sights for only briefly.
As it left his grasp on the 18th green, he saw familiar faces that weren’t supposed to be there.
Kuchar’s wife, Sybi, and their two sons had flown to Southport, England, to surprise him as he made a run at his first major.
"I talked to them last night on the phone," Kuchar said following his second-place finish at the British Open. "Thought they were in Colorado. It was a great surprise. A teary surprise. And it's great to have people to share things with, have loved ones here."
Kuchar, from Sea Island, Ga., went one shot ahead of Jordan Spieth after the 13th hole of the final round. But, alas, Jordan Spieth, had himself another amazing run on the course to win the British Open.
“It's crushing. It hurts. And it's an excitement and a thrill to have played well, put up a battle, put up a fight,” Kuchar said.
A former star at Georgia Tech, Kuchar, 39, said seeing his family after losing out on the Claret Jug gave him resolve.
"Certainly my family means a lot. They're a big support team. Golf is a selfish game, and what they go through, it's an amazing support to help me try to be my best. It was very, very cool to have them here."
Credit: Gregory Shamus
Credit: Gregory Shamus
They weren’t the only ones showing love:
Just an incredible week at #TheOpen for @GT_GOLF alum Matt Kuchar. Always such a class act. Couldn't be prouder that he's a Yellow Jacket!
🐝— Todd Stansbury (@GTToddStansbury)
😎 RT if you'd love to see Matt Kuchar win
— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman)
Kuchar hopes they’re right.
“Man, it was exciting out there, having chance to win at The Open,” Kuchar said. “The crowds were just fantastic. I don't know what the numbers were, but they were deep. It was really fun to be in the arena having a chance to put your name on the Claret Jug.”
Credit: Dave Thompson
Credit: Dave Thompson
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