Aug. 14, 2016
RIO DE JANEIRO – Matt Kuchar (Georgia Tech Class of 2000) shot a final-round 63 and won the bronze medal in the men’s golf competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics on Sunday.
Representing the United States of America, Kuchar carded rounds of 69, 70, 69 and 63 to finish 13-under-par for the 72-hole tournament, two strokes behind gold medalist Justin Rose (Great Britain) and one shot behind silver medalist Henrik Stenson (Sweden).
Kuchar began Sunday’s final round tied for seventh overall at five-under-par, four strokes out of medal contention. He played a flawless round on Sunday, recording six birdies, an eagle and no bogeys en route to his eight-under-par 63. The 63 tied the Olympic record and was the best final-round score of Kuchar’s professional career. He nearly set a new Olympic record with a 62 but his birdie putt on No. 18 came up just inches short of the hole.
Kuchar: “It took a couple guys not playing for me to get in… this might just be fate." https://t.co/jIgUgUZ3V4 pic.twitter.com/yv6wzmZclj
— Golfweek Magazine (@GolfweekMag) August 15, 2016
Matt Kuchar’s clutch Olympic moment: https://t.co/grnAuD6DE7 pic.twitter.com/8kzZSHba73
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) August 14, 2016
OlympicGolf on the wish list for me and I hope anyone else who gets the chance in future to rep their 🇺🇸 on the world stage! #tokyo2020
— Ollie Schniederjans (@ollie_gt) August 14, 2016
In the words of Carlton Forrester “That’s what I’m taking about!” #Jacketpros pic.twitter.com/A6wu3ffnmq
— Georgia Tech Golf (@GT_GOLF) August 14, 2016
A photo posted by Matt Kuchar (@mattkuchargolf) on Aug 14, 2016 at 6:25pm PDT
Kuchar was a three-time All-American and two-time National Player of the Year at Georgia Tech from 1997-2000. He graduated from Tech in 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in management. He is the first former Yellow Jacket to win an Olympic medal since Chris Bosh won gold as a member of the 2008 USA men’s basketball team in Beijing.
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH GOLF
Georgia Tech golf is set to begin its 22nd year under head coach Bruce Heppler. The Yellow Jackets have won 16 Atlantic Coast Conference championships, made 28 appearances in the NCAA Championship and been the national runner-up four times. Connect with Georgia Tech Golf on social media by liking their Facebook page, or following on Twitter (@GT_Golf) and Instagram. For more information on Tech golf, visit Ramblinwreck.com.
