NBC on Yahoo SportsMatt Kuchar (back) withdraws from PGA Championship
Matt Kuchar withdrew from the PGA Championship on Thursday, citing back pain as the reason.
He notified tournament officials of his decision minutes before his 9:05 a.m. ET tee time at Valhalla Golf Club. He was replaced by first-alternate John Huh, who had spent the early part of the week waiting to see if Tiger Woods, also hampered by a bad back, would compete.
Kuchar tied for 12th place last week at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and was one of the favorites to contend here this week as he looked for his first major championship victory. He has six career top-10 finishes in major championships, all coming since 2010.
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At fifth in U.S. Ryder Cup standings, Kuchar is a lock to make the team. The top nine at the end of the PGA Championship automatically qualify for the team.
Kuchar's best PGA finish is a tie for 10th in 2010 at Whistling Straits. It's one of his six career top-10 finishes in majors.
