The Open: Matt Kuchar says he is 'hurting' after battle with Jordan Spieth
Last Updated: 23/07/17 8:24pm
Matt Kuchar admitted he was hurting after missing out on victory in The 146th Open following Jordan Spieth's brilliant recovery on the back nine at Royal Birkdale on Sunday.
The 39-year-old held a one-shot advantage after Spieth's dramatic bogey on the 13th, but his fellow American then played the next four holes in five under, with three birdies and an eagle at the par-five 15th.
"It's hard to explain. It's crushing. It hurts," said Kuchar, who was chasing his first major success.
"It's an excitement and a thrill to have played well, put up a battle, put up a fight. You work so hard to get to this position.
"To have a chance to make history and win a championship, you don't get that many opportunities. To be this close, to taste it with five holes to go, it's a hard one to sit back and take.
"However, thinking with five holes to play, I played the next four in two under par. But I lose two shots in those four holes to Jordan.
"And so I can only control what I do, how I play. Jordan is a great champion and certainly played that way in the finishing stretch today.
"It was impressive stuff when a guy does something like that. All you can really do is sit back, tip your cap and say 'well done'. And it was certainly a show that he put on."
Despite the disappointment, Kuchar is determined to take what he can from the experience and put it to good use in the future.
He added: "As tough as it is to be this close and finish second, I am sure that it will lead to me continuing to work hard and push me harder to try to finish one place better.
"I think things like these continue to push people. And I know that's what it will do to me.
"To be so close, to taste a victory and not be able to get it, it's hard, but I'll look forward to the challenge of trying again."
