When Matt Kuchar asked Gary Woodland to team with him to represent the United States at the World Cup, it may have been for a bit of a selfish reason. Kuchar wanted to hit from Wood-land – the place only few men, Woodland included, drive the ball.
‘There will be some, ‘Wow, this is crazy’ (moments), but more, ‘Wow, this is great,’' Kuchar said Tuesday.
Woodland was fifth on the PGA Tour this season in driving distance, averaging 310.5 yards off of the tee. By comparison, Kuchar was 128th at 286.2 yards. That 24-yard advantage will come in handy this week for the steady Kuchar.
As part of the competition, the teams play two rounds of alternate shot. For Kuchar, it’ll be more like an alternate universe.
‘I’m probably more excited about the alternate shot, just in the fact that I’ll get to hit it from where Gary has driven it. So it’s going to make for some fun couple days,’ he said.
It’s not just the driving distance, however, that compelled Kuchar to go with Woodland. They also have a camaraderie Kuchar feels will lead them to the first American win in the event since 2000.
‘I thought about the guys that I really would enjoy spending the week with, as well as who I thought I could pair up best with in order to really have a shot at winning it, and Gary was at the top of the list,’ he said.
