After struggling at East Lake, Kuchar settles for $3 million consolation prize

Matt Kuchar earned a $3 million consolation prize on Sunday to go some way toward making him feel better after struggling at East Lake. Kuchar came into the Tour Championship as the top seed, knowing he was assured of claiming the FedExCup and a $10 million prize if he won the season-ending event. He was never a factor, however, tying for 25th in a 30-player field after failing to break par in any round. "I didn't have it this week, but I played as well as I could for 72 holes," said Kuchar, who closed with a 1-over 71 Sunday for a 5-over 285 total. Jim Furyk won the tournament to claim the richest payoff in golf. Because no one else in the top five finished high enough, Kuchar held on for second in the point standings to take the runner-up prize of $3 million. Not that he had any idea what was going on, given the complex nature of the points system. "It's impossible to be aware of it," Kuchar said. "Who really was aware of it? Maybe some kid in front of a computer. But certainly I was not." Kuchar was preparing to tee off at the final hole when thunderstorms swept into the area, leading to a two-hour break. Even then, he didn't bother looking at the possible FedExCup scenarios. "I watched football," he said. "I had no real idea and was completely unconcerned with it today. It was not even on my radar screen. I was out there trying to hit good shots and really didn't give the FedEx Cup one ounce of thought today." Kuchar conceded that he's a little beat after playing his fourth playoff event in five weeks, but there's no rest on the horizon. He was off to the airport, heading to Wales to play in his first Ryder Cup, and he's scheduled return to Georgia to play in the inaugural fall event at Sea Island the following week. "I could use a couple down days, but I don't get a couple of down days for a couple weeks," Kuchar said. "I understood that. I've played a lot since the British Open, and I knew it was on my plate."