PALM BEACH GARDENS (Fla.) — Matt Kuchar joins the growing number of PGA Tour pros moving to this stretch of the Atlantic coast in South Florida.
It’s not as simple as you might think.
Kuchar is sure taking advantage of world-class venues especially at Bear’s Club, where he and his family settled down in October. Kuchar, 44, has been on the tour for more than 20 years. His motivation wasn’t about his career, but his teenage sons’ careers.
“We were looking for higher-level sports,” Kuchar said.
Sybi, Matt’s wife, has two sons, Carson, 13 years old, and Cameron, 15, year-old. Both boys excel in their respective sports, but have chosen different paths.
Cameron is a follower of Dad. Carson wants to be just like Mom.
Dad and mom want the best for their boys, so they left St. Simons Island in Ga. where Sybi was born and moved south.
Matt stated, “We were looking to play higher-level sports.” “We had great tennis and great golf down there.”
Matt will be playing his first home match this week and returning to Honda for first time since 2011.
Jay Berger, father of Daniel Berger, gave a glowing endorsement to the area. Jay was a member of the ATP Tour and reached No. Jay reached No. 7 on the world ATP Tour before he became a coach. He was the 2016 coach of the U.S. Olympic Tennis team in Rio de Janeiro.
Kuchar also won the bronze medal in golf at the Olympics.
Matt stated, “We spent some quality time there.” “The tennis world can be small and we spent a lot of time together over the years. We’d always ask him if he had any recommendations for facilities.”
And, apparently, coaches.
Jay is now Carson’s tennis coach.
Matt spoke highly of Carson, saying that he wants to be great. He’s playing top-level junior stuff.”
Cameron is also learning from his father.
Matt said that his oldest son “has turned into my training partner.”
The perfect match
Sybi and Matt met at Georgia Tech. Sybi was an outstanding tennis player, while Matt was the best collegiate golfer in the nation in 1998. They were both in college when their romance was not yet established. They were married in 2003.
Matt once stated that “we were very close in school.” I think we were both very occupied with our sport as well as school. We would meet up and go out to hang out but not much time for dating.
After her playing days at Georgia Tech, Sybi was a tennis instructor and Matt was her mixed doubles partner. They began entering tournaments and won the consolation title at the 2009 USTA National Husband/Wife Doubles Championship held at ATP Headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach.
Matt once described his tennis style to be “scrappy”. He said he likes covering the net all the time, but Sybi takes him out of the baseline. Before Sybi, Matt was not unfamiliar with the sport. His father Peter Kuchar was No. 1 in 2 at one point in Florida.
Kuchar is a beloved and respected player on the tour. If you’re within earshot of his group, Kuchar is easy to spot on the course.
They aren’t booing; they shout “Kooch!”
Kuchar’s achievements date back over 20 years. The 2002 Honda Classic was his first win on the tour. Highlights of his career include the 2012 Players Championship win and participation in four Ryder Cup teams. On the tour, he has won more that $56 million.
He was once No. He was once No. 65 after finishing eighth at the Phoenix Open last week. He has jumped 20 places. Kuchar is the oldest player among the 65 top world ranking players.
He said, “Trying to increase.” “And feeling really good.”
Matt may be able to drive his own car and sleep in his own bed to the tournament, but it doesn’t mean that the whole Kuchar clan won’t be supporting him on the fairways.
Nope. Matt is still on his own on golf course.
Kuchar stated, “They have their own stuff going.” They’re going to school. They’re training. They don’t get as many opportunities to meet me in person or live.
It’s why Sybi and Matt made the move.
