Good Genes
Matt Kuchar's 15-year-old son cruises through U.S. Open local qualifying
Ben Jared
Cameron Kuchar appears to be following in his father's footsteps—and on Monday he took his biggest step yet.
The 15-year-old son of nine-time PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar cruised through a U.S. Open local qualifier. Next up will be a 36-hole final qualifier in which he could wind up playing with dad.
Matt Kuchar still needs to qualify for the 2023 U.S. Open as well after failing to earn a spot in the field last year for the first time since 2007. Kuchar, currently No. 47 in the Official World Ranking, will make his return to the event if he can stay in the top 60 by either the May 22 or June 5 cut-off dates. If not, he'll have to make it through one of 10 final qualifiers around the country, nine of which take place June 5.
Cameron, a class of 2026 recruit, shot a three-under-par 69 at Florida's Wellington National Golf Club on Monday to finish second place, one shot behind medalist Jordan Gumberg.
Matt and Cameron have played together in two PNC Championships, including a T-5 in 2020 (Matt played with his youngest son, Carson, last year). So the kid is a player. Obviously. Heck, you need a Handicap Index of 1.4 or lower just to enter U.S. Open qualifying.
As for Matt Kuchar, he has a pretty decorated resume when it comes to USGA events having won the 1997 U.S. Amateur. The following year he finished T-14 to earn low amateur honors at the 1998 U.S. Open, and has seven top-20 finishes in 19 total starts in the event. We'd have to assume that making No. 20 alongside his son, though, would be the highlight of his distinguished career.