Matt Kuchar continues hot streak on first day of Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Matt Kuchar's name isn't a likely response to the question of who is America's best golfer.

The former Georgia Tech All-American, however, just might be playing better golf than any of his fellow countrymen.

Kuchar backed up 16 months of stellar play with a 4-under-par 68 in the first round of the Masters on Thursday at Augusta National Golf Club.

Kuchar is tied for fifth alongside Ricky Barnes, both former U.S. Amateur champions, as the top scoring Americans in the field. They are three shots back of co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Alvaro Quiros.

"(I'm) really pleased with where I finished," Kuchar said. "It's a great spot. Played solid golf."

Kuchar got off to a strong start Thursday, making four birdies on the front nine before giving a shot back at No. 9. He moved to as high as 5 under with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 but finish at 4 under after bogeying 16.

"I felt solid out there," Kuchar said. "I didn't feel like I was doing a whole lot of grinding. It felt like a lot of good opportunities."

Kuchar, who is ranked 10th in the world, came into the Masters as one of the hottest golfers in the world.

The 32-year-old has six top-10 finishes in eight events this season. He finished fifth at the Sony Open in Hawaii and the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral and third at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. He was eighth last week in Houston.

All of that just adds to Kuchar's career year in 2010.

Kuchar broke out in 2010 by leading the tour in lowest scoring average and topped the money list. He made the Ryder Cup team, finished second in the FedEx Cup standings and won The Barclays during the PGA Tour playoffs. He finished in the top 10 11 times, including a tie for sixth at the U.S. Open and a tie for 10th at the PGA Championship.

Kuchar is playing in his fifth Masters.

He qualified for two Masters as an amateur in 1998 and 1999. Then a standout at Georgia Tech, Kuchar finished 21st in 1998 Masters. He also finished tied for 14th at the U.S. Open later that year, and he earned return trips to both.

Kuchar made the cut in 1999 but finished tied for 50th after rough opening and closing rounds.

Kuchar missed the cut at his first Masters as a professional in 2002 after shooting a 77 in the second round.

He finally returned to Augusta in 2010 and finished tied for 24th. Grouped with the Tiger Woods, Kuchar navigated the circus surrounding Woods' first tournament following his time off following his well-documented sex scandal. Kuchar shot 70-73 while paired with Woods last year.

(c) 2011, The Macon Telegraph (Macon, Ga.).

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