Matt Kuchar will not be participating in the WM Phoenix Open this week, as initially planned. The seasoned PGA Tour golfer made the difficult decision to withdraw from the event on Tuesday following the unexpected passing of his father, Peter, who was 73 years old. In a heartfelt statement provided to the Golf Channel, Matt Kuchar shared, “My Pop was a huge fan of sport and passed on his love of competition to me. He was a wonderful person — an incredible grandfather, a loving husband and best friend to my mother, and the best father I could have ever hoped for. An avid pickleball player and outdoorsman, Pop was a man of great character and a character in his own right. He is the person that introduced me to the game of golf, a tie that will always remain between us. Those memories, and so many more, will be with me and our family forever. He will be missed more than words can express. We appreciate the support and privacy while we grieve as a family.”
At this time, detailed information regarding Peter’s passing remains undisclosed. Jesper Svensson has stepped in to take Matt Kuchar’s place in the field at TPC Scottsdale.
Peter has been a constant presence in Matt’s journey as a golfer. He was there to caddie for his son when he clinched victory at the 1997 U.S. Amateur, and the duo participated together at the PNC Championship in 2018, securing a commendable T9 finish. Peter was often seen proudly supporting Matt from the galleries during his Tour events.
With nine PGA Tour victories to his name, including a win at the 2019 Sony Open in Hawaii, Matt Kuchar has enjoyed a successful career. Last season, he managed a single top-10 finish at the 3M Open, where he placed third. So far this season, Matt has competed in two events. Having represented the United States in four Ryder Cup teams and also serving as a vice-captain for the U.S. team on multiple occasions, Matt’s contributions to the sport are widely recognized.
It remains uncertain when Matt will make his return to the Tour. Following the WM Phoenix Open this week, the Tour will conclude its West Coast swing with the Genesis Invitational in San Diego and the Mexico Championship in Puerto Vallarta in the subsequent weeks.
