Matt Kuchar withdraws from the Phoenix Open after Dad’s Death

Scottsdale, Ariz. – Matt Kuchar withdrew from the WM Phoenix Open Wednesday and said in a statement that his father had died unexpectedly.

Peter Kuchar was a stable presence at golf tournaments and Caddied for his son when Matt won the American amateur in 1997 at Cog Hill, and he played well in Masters and the US Open the following year.

Matt Kuchar said his father died on Tuesday. His parents, who grew up in central Florida, had spent the last several years living in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Peter Kuchar was once high ranked in double tennis for state competitions.

“My pop was a big fan of sports and went on to his love for competition for me,” Matt Kuchar said in a statement to Golf Channel.

“He is the person who introduced me to the golf game, a tie that will always remain between us,” he said. “These memories, and so many more, will be with me and our family forever. He will be missed more than words can express.”

Matt Kuchar and his father played together in the PNC championship in 2018, and Peter Kuchar was there again in December as a caddy when Matt Kuchar played with his son.

Matt Kuchars Ni PGA Touryers Includes Players Championship, Memorial, A World Golf Championship and a FedEx Cup playoff event.