Matt Kuchar claimed an emotional win at the PNC Championship with son Cameron, ten months after losing his father.
Winning alongside a family member is always special, but for Matt Kuchar, this year’s PNC Championship on the Champions Tour carried even deeper meaning. In early 2025, Kuchar lost his father, Peter Kuchar, a pivotal figure in his golf journey and former playing partner at this very event. Now, ten months later, Matt and his son Cameron captured the title with a tournament-record score of 33-under-par.
PNC Championship ends in joyful tears
High schooler Cameron Kuchar, benefiting from forward tees, launched a strong drive on the final hole. Matt followed with a 7-iron approach to just 18 inches. He then let Cameron sink the final putt, capping off a week the Kuchar family will never forget. As the final putt dropped, Matt wiped away tears and reflected on the emotional weight of the moment: “I don’t know if you believe in karma, fate, or whatever you believe in, but there’s something magical out there,” he said. “I believe in God and that my dad is looking down on me. What happened on 18… I could barely stand to hit the shot. To hit it to a foot makes me believe there’s something more. I just miss you, Pops.”
Father, caddie, and lifelong supporter
Peter Kuchar had long been a steady presence in Matt’s life and career. He first caddied for Matt during his 1997 U.S. Amateur win and continued the following year at the Masters and U.S. Open. Though he stepped back from caddying when Matt turned pro, Peter remained a constant supporter and advisor. The two even played the PNC Championship together before Peter passed the torch to grandson Cameron. Peter Kuchar died suddenly of a heart attack while swimming in February. “He was a wonderful man—an incredible grandfather, a loving husband, my mom’s best friend, and the best father I could’ve asked for,” Matt said at the time.
Matt and Cameron played like champions, carding only two pars on the final day and offsetting them with two eagles to shoot a 54 and finish at 33-under-par—a tournament record. “This is special, very special,” said an emotional Matt Kuchar after the win.
“I know Pops is giving big fist pumps up in the sky.”
Memories from the past and memories being made.
Matt Kuchar shares how special @PNCchampionship has been to his family. https://t.co/93dL2JdAUD pic.twitter.com/hMnHPgM268