Top 20 Golfers for 2012 Majors: No. 14 Matt Kuchar

No. 14: Matt Kuchar

Born: June 21, 1978, Winter Park, Fla.  | Career PGA Tour Wins: 3 | 2011 Wins (Worldwide): 0 | 2011 Earnings (PGA Tour): $4,233,920 | World Ranking: 15

Brandel Chamblee's Take:

The 2010 Vardon Trophy winner had another huge year in 2011. In the 24 events he played, he posted 19 top-25 finishes and had nine top 10s, although he didn’t manage a victory. In the past two years the swing changes that he’s made have resulted in his becoming one of the most reliable players, especially in must-make situations late on Sunday, where inside five feet he has few equals. 
His few weaknesses and swing characteristics nevertheless hurt him in the game’s biggest events. His swing is too flat and his angle of attack too shallow to get out of the thicker rough in the U.S. Open, British Open and PGA. At Augusta, where there is little rough, the one place you can’t play from is left, and that is Matt’s tendency. Like Luke Donald and Steve Stricker, Matt is not a great driver, but his short game has made him rich.

Major Championship Résumé
Starts: 25
Wins: 0

2011 Performance:
Masters - T27
U.S. Open - T14
British Open - Cut
PGA Championship - T19

Best Career Finishes: 
Masters - T21 (1998)
U.S. Open - T6 (2010)
British Open - T27 (2010)
PGA Championship - T10 (2010)
Top-10 Finishes: 2
Top-25 Finishes: 7
Missed Cuts: 14

—Brandel Chamblee is lead analyst for the Golf Channel. Be sure to follow him @ChambleeBrandel on Twitter.