Matt Kuchar capped a four-under par 68 with a birdie at the final hole on Sunday to win the US PGA Tour’s $US6.2 million Memorial tournament by two strokes.
Kuchar, stung by Boo Weekley’s come-from-behind victory at Colonial last weekend, wasn’t about to let things slip away this time.
He led by as many as four strokes on the back nine and his 12-under total of 276 gave him a two-shot triumph over American Kevin Chappell.
Chappell closed with a bogey-free round in the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event at Muirfield Village, keeping the pressure on Kuchar with four birdies in his last six holes in a four-under 68 for 278.
Kyle Stanley was third after a 71 for 281.
Australian Matt Jones fired an even-par 72 final round to finish the tournament in a tie for sixth on 283 while reigning Masters champion Adam Scott (73) was two shots further back.
Kuchar, winner of the WGC Match Play Championship at Dove Mountain, joined world No.1 Tiger Woods as the only multiple winners on the US PGA Tour this season.
Woods, a four-time winner already in 2013 and a five-time Memorial champion, wrapped up a disappointing final tune-up for the US Open with an even-par 72 that left him on eight over 296.
Woods recovered from a triple bogey and a bogey in his first five holes to card an even-par 72 that left him on eight-over 296.
His six at the par-three 12th hole was his second triple bogey of the week.
World No.2 Rory McIlroy, also making his last scheduled start before the US Open, was in trouble from Thursday, when he opened with a 78. He fought back to make the cut and also closed out his week with an even-par round that included two birdies and two bogeys for a six-over total of 294.
“I found a couple of little things this weekend,” McIlroy said. “I hit the ball much better today. I actually putted a little better, too … It’s not that far away.”


