Matt Kuchar hoped that Georgia Tech's football game against Miami would have a late kickoff Saturday so that he could root for his alma mater after the finishes his third round of the Tour Championship at nearby East Lake.
But the Yellow Jackets kick off at 3 p.m., which will be during the middle of Kuchar’s third round at the Tour Championship. He tees off at 1:40 p.m.
Not that he minds.
Kuchar shot a 1-under 69 in Friday's second round and is 4 under for the tournament, three shots behind the leader, Jim Furyk. A poor score Friday would have meant an earlier tee time for Kuchar, which may have given him a chance to make it to Bobby Dodd Stadium for the second half.
He was in contention to be paired with Furyk until bogeying Nos. 16 and 18. He said he was too aggressive with his approach on 16, and his tee shot on the 235-yard No. 18 came up short of the green. After a good chip, he missed the short par putt.
Kuchar very much has a chance at winning the Tour Championship and still has a chance at winning the FedEx Cup, which comes with a $10 million bonus, with two rounds remaining.
Not that he will be thinking about that either.
“The game plan has always been find fairways,” he said. “That’s always my game plan. So I’m sticking to the same, and just hoping to find a few more.”
Watson’s gift
Bubba Watson got a little help from a new friend Friday.
Watson had mud on his ball for his approach shot on No. 4. The shot was headed left and long of the green. Upon getting to his ball Watson found it rested just off the putting surface, a much better position than anticipated.
After being told the wayward shot hit the foot of a seated fan and ricocheted back toward the green, Watson yelled out “I always liked that guy!”
Watson saved par on the hole. The fan was rewarded with an autographed glove delivered from Watson’s caddie.
Donald warming up?
Luke Donald feels he's about to post a good score, if he can just get what's usually the best part of his game going.
Donald hit 15 greens in regulation Friday, but could do no better than a 1-under 69 to improve to par in the tournament because he needed 32 putts. That’s 3 1/2 putts more than his season average.
“I’ve struggled a little bit on the greens, getting the speed and the line correct,” he said. “These greens are a little faster and sloppier than what we play most weeks. I’ve not done a very good job adjusting.”
Donald needed 31 putts during Thursday’s first round.
“I feel like my game, I’m about to break out with a good score,” he said. “I’ve got to be patient and save quite a few for next week [Ryder Cup].”
On the bag
Dustin Johnson's caddie didn't feel well Friday, so Johnson pulled Cameron Hooper, a friend and former teammate at Coastal Carolina, out of the gallery to carry his bag. Johnson shot 3-under 67, something Hooper declined to take any credit for. Johnson is 4 under for the tournament, three shots behind Furyk.
Hooper, who is now a financial adviser after an injury sidetracked his golfing career, made the trek in a pair of canvas boat shoes. He said he would be sure to wear tennis shoes Saturday, if he’s needed.
“It worked out well,” Johnson said.
Course stats
The toughest hole Friday was No. 16, a 480-yard par 4. It had a scoring average of 4.3. It gave up three birdies, with 10 bogeys and one double bogey.
The easiest hole for the second consecutive day was No. 15, a 525-yard par 5. It featured an eagle by Rory McIlroy and 12 birdies. It was the only eagle during the second round.
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