World's Greatest Scrambler: Matt Kuchar

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To say Matt Kuchar has had a breakout season on the PGA TOUR is a bit of an understatement.

Kuchar has had nine top-10 finishes in 21 events this season. He's also had six in his last eight starts including a tie for sixth at the U.S. Open in June and a tie for 10th at last week's PGA Championship.

A lot of that success can likely be attributed to his scrambling abilites. In fact, he leads the PGA TOUR in that all-important category at 66.17 percent.

After taking the 18-hole lead at the PGA Championship on Friday, Kuchar said even after his stellar collegiate career at Georgia Tech and all the "can't miss" hype, life hasn't been easy while finding his TOUR legs.

"I went through some stretches of not having it, but have kind of dug my way back out, and I think a lot of credit is due to Chris O'Connell," Kuchar said. "I've been working with Chris O'Connell since 2006. He's my instructor.

"Since working with him in 2006, every year has gotten better. As a golfer we hope to improve on the year before and we've done that every year, this year being my best year to date.

"I had experiences in college where I played great golf and I remember my junior year, it was a difficult year for me. I didn't play great my junior year, and then rebounded with a good senior year, turned pro, earned my card and a sponsor exemption straightaway my first year, and in those seven events, earned enough money to keep my way on TOUR for 2002 and then had a win straightaway in 2002, and then kind of another dip down.

"Since 2006, it's been a steady climb back up."

Incidentally, golf isn't Matt's only standout sport. Matt's wife, Sybi, was a standout tennis player at Georgia Tech, where they met. They teamed in October 2009 to win the consolation title in the USTA National Husband/Wife Doubles Championship at the ATP Headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.