DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) ― Matt Kuchar was in a good spot Sunday at the Memorial. He had his first multiple-win season, and an audience with tournament host Jack Nicklaus.
Needing two putts from 20 feet to hold off a late charge from Kevin Chappell, Kuchar punctuated a remarkably steady final round by making the birdie putt for a 4-under 68 and a two-shot victory at Muirfield Village. He joined Tiger Woods as the only players with more than one win this year on the PGA Tour.
Kuchar, who goes to a career-best No. 4 in the world, won the Match Play Championship in late February.
Tiger Woods made another triple bogey ― two shots from a bunker, three putts from 15 feet on the fringe ― at the par-3 12th and had to rally for an even-par 72. Woods came into the Memorial having won three times in his last four starts, and left with the second-highest score of his career at 8-over 296.
Matt Kuchar reacts after sinking a birdie putt on the 18th green on Sunday. (AP-Yonhap News)
The final round was a snoozer until the very end, when Chappell birdied three of his last four holes. His approach to the 18th settled within tap-in range for birdie, putting a little extra pressure on Kuchar. When the putt dropped, he flashed that easy smile and thrust his fist into the air as his 3-year-old son Carson gave Nicklaus a high-five. Chappell closed with a 68.
ShopRite LPGA Classic
Karrie Webb won her first LPGA Tour title in two years, rallying from five shots down for a two-stroke victory over Shanshan Feng in the wind-whipped ShopRite LPGA Classic.
The 38-year-old Hall of Famer shot a magnificent 3-under 68 in blustery conditions to win for the 39th time on tour, the most among active players. The Australian had a 4-under 209 total on The Bay Course at the Stockton Seaview Hotel and Golf Club, tying the highest winning score at the course.
Playing in strong winds, Webb had two birdies, an eagle and a bogey, capping the round with a 5-foot birdie at the par-5 final hole. She also made six par-saving putts of 5-6 feet.
Webb, the Australian Ladies Masters winner in February, got emotional after the event, saying that her grandmother has been very ill back home and told her to win. She did.
Principal Charity Classic
Russ Cochran won the Principal Charity Classic for his fourth career Champions Tour title, finishing with a 5-under 67 for a one-stroke victory over Jay Don Blake.
Cochran finished at 11-under 205 at Wakonda Club. The left-hander, two strokes behind second-round leader Duffy Waldorf entering the day, broke a winless streak that stretched 35 tournaments.
Blake shot 69. He bogeyed the par-3 17th with his first three-putt of the tournament to fall a stroke behind. He had a chance to force a playoff, but his birdie try on the par-4 18th missed to the right.
Nordea Masters
Finland’s Mikko Ilonen won the Nordea Masters by three strokes to end a six-year victory drought, shooting a 3-under 69 to finish at 21 under at Bro Hof Slott.
Sweden’s Jonas Blixt had a 68 to finish second. American Peter Uihlein closed with a 69 to tie for 21st at 10 under.