Nissan #ProJackets Golf Report

Aug. 9, 2016

THE FLATS – Golf is guaranteed to be a part of the Olympic Games only in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro and 2020 in Tokyo, and at 38 years old, Matt Kuchar may not get another chance to enjoy this rare treat in his sport.

So add “Olympian” to an impressive resume of international accomplishments that already includes three appearances in the Ryder Cup (and perhaps a fourth this fall), two in the Presidents Cup and one in the Walker Cup. Though the format is pure individual stroke play for 72 holes, similar to a PGA Tour event, Kuchar will very much be representing his country along with Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson in the 60-player field.

Kuchar, ranked No. 20 in the world, has been paired with reigning Masters champion Danny Willett (9) of Great Britain and Li Haotong (155) of China. Kuchar is back to being a top-10 machine — he has nine in 2016 — but he’s still looking for his first victory of the season.

A look at the featured groups for the first 36 holes

Storylines from Olympic Men’s Golf Competition

He has won seven times on the PGA Tour and has played particularly well this summer, finishing third three times in a six-event span that began at THE PLAYERS and has nine top-10s in all. In fact, in 372 Tour starts, he has 84 top-10 finishes.

There are no FedEx Cup or Ryder Cup points on the line this week, but Kuchar is in good shape (16th in points) to reach the season-ending Tour Championship in Atlanta for the eighth consecutive year. He is 11th in the current points standings for the Ryder Cup, with two Tour events remaining that would help him accrue enough points to reach the top eight for automatic inclusion onto the U.S. team.

At ALS fundraiser at Travelers Championship. Bubba wore the full Opening Ceremonies outfit, mine was sent to Rio.

A photo posted by Matt Kuchar (@mattkuchargolf) on Aug 5, 2016 at 6:10pm PDT

PGA Tour: Most Tech alumni are taking this week off though the PGA Tour has the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill., where Stewart Cink, Chesson Hadley, Troy Matteson and Matt Weibring are in the field. With only the Wyndham Championship left in the regular-season PGA Tour regular season, Roberto Castro (55th), Bryce Molder (74th) and Cameron Tringale (98th) are all in good position to reach the opening round of the FedEx Cup playoffs (The Barclays).

Only Kuchar, who tied for 17th, Molder, who tied for 56th, and Hadley, who missed the cut, played in last week’s Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Conn. Kuchar fired three rounds in the 60’s and closed with a 65.

Web.com Tour: Ollie Schniederjans, despite his missed cut last weekend, still possesses one of the best all-around games on the Web.com Tour. After a lengthy range session Friday night, the 23-year-old (who is also one of the longest hitters on Tour despite his smaller frame) did not return to Atlanta before heading to Missouri and is eager for a good result.

He remains No. 2 on the Web.com Tour money list, while Richy Werenski remains No. 3. Anders Albertson, who skipped last weekend’s Digital Ally Open, is 54th on the money list, looking for a big finish in the next two events to get to the top 25 before the Web.com Finals begin Sept. 8.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PGA Tour: John Deere Classic • August 11-14, 2016 • TPC Deere Run • Silvis, Ill. • Purse: $4,800,000 • Winning Share: $864,000 • FedExCup Points: 500
Web.com Tour: Price Cutter Charity Championship • August 11-14, 2016 • Highland Springs Country Club • Springfield. Mo. • Purse: $675,000 • Winning share: $121,500
PGA Tour Champions: U.S. Senior Open • August 11-14, 2016 • Scioto Country Club • Columbus, Ohio. • Purse: $3,750,000 • Winning Share: n/a
MacKenzie Tour: National Capital Open • August 18-21, 2016 • Hylands Golf Club • Ottawa, Ontario • Purse: $175,000 • Winning Share: $31,500
PGA Tour LatinoAmerica: Flor de Cana Open • Aug. 29-Sept. 4, 2016 • Gucalito de La Isla • Gucalito de La Isla, Nicaragua • Purse: $175,000 • Winning Share: $31,500
SwingThought.com Tour: National Pro Series/Three Ridges Golf Club • Aug. 10-13, 2016 • Three Ridges Golf Club • Knoxville, Tenn.