According to Kuchar

At the 2022 Kingdom Cup at Hilton Head, we tracked down Matt Kuchar to talk Boris Becker, Magic Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Payne Stewart and the new world of tour golf

Welcome back to Hilton Head. Thanks! I love the golf here. We play Harbour Town on the PGA Tour, and it’s one of my favorite courses we play all year. The local community comes out in a big way, and the cool thing with Hilton Head is it’s an easy hang, an easy lifestyle.

You’ve won nine times on the PGA Tour, yet did you once think your career lay in tennis?

When I was young I was sure I was going to be Boris Becker. Then I got into basketball, and I was sure I was going to be Magic Johnson. Then I got into golf, and I was sure I was going to be Phil Mickelson. The golf thing stuck.

Was there a moment when golf clicked? There wasn’t a moment, but golf is this never-ending quest to get better. I am still driven and golf still has me, whether I’m playing great and want to keep playing great or whether I’m playing bad and I can’t wait to fix it.

What advice did Payne Stewart once give you about turning professional?

I was deciding whether to turn pro or remain in college [at Georgia Tech], and Payne said to me: “Stay in college.” He was the only guy who said that to me. He said: “The PGA Tour is not going anywhere. You’re going to be out here for a while, and you don’t want to be 10 years down the road, looking back and wishing you had those two years back.’’

What is your stance regarding the PGA Tour versus LIV?

I wish I had a crystal ball. I foresee there being some sort of coming together in due time. I just don’t understand the hatred that exists towards the other players. I don’t know how you can fault somebody for going and grabbing LIV money. If you’re a player right now, you’re winning one way or the other. Either you grab some of the LIV money or you stay on the PGA Tour, and the PGA Tour has upped its game, so right now it’s great either way.

There is stability with the PGA Tour, but is there a sense of refreshment by trying something different?

I played a practice round with Mark Calcavecchia at the British Open 10 or 15 years ago. I was feeling really good about who I was as a golfer on the PGA Tour. I was starting to really do well and making cup teams, and I was talking about how I knew who I was as a player and how I knew what tournaments I liked, what courses I liked, what hotels and restaurants I liked, and I felt good about my life on the PGA Tour. Then Mark told me: “We’re on totally opposite ends. I can’t wait to go somewhere new.” That was an interesting statement. I can see how the PGA Tour can get to be a routine, and you hope that you always have that excitement.

Can you share some advice for amateur golfers who might be struggling (asking for a friend…)?

Try to be excited for the next shot. The bad shots are going to happen, but you can look forward to making a recovery shot, figuring out how to save par. Golf is so much just managing, and figuring out whatever the lowest score you can shoot that day. It’s figuring out how not to let that 73 become a 76, or whatever it may be.

Thanks! I’ll pass it on…

The other thing is to keep it simple, like just finding joy in the game. Trade expectations for appreciation. If you can appreciate the small things, it makes life a lot more enjoyable.

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