The Barclays, Round Four

Kuchar wins Barclays as Casey sends reminder to Monty

ESPN staff

August 29, 2010 « E. Molinari triumphs as Jimenez seals Ryder Cup spot | ESPN FA Cup Promo »

Matt Kuchar was magic on day four © Getty Images

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Scotland's Martin Laird lost out in a play-off to Matt Kuchar at The Barclays, while Paul Casey fired a reminder of his talents to Colin Montgomerie after his Ryder Cup snub.

The duo were forced to do sudden-death battle after they both finished the tournament at 12 under. Kuchar started the day in a tie for fifth - with Laird holding the overnight lead - but a five-under 66 gave him the momentum heading into the play-off.

Laird entered the final hole in regulation knowing that he required a par in order to clinch the title, but he was left bitterly disappointed after sinking to a bogey five that saw him post a 71. That handed Kuchar the opportunity to strike, and he made no mistake by birdying the first play-off hole.

Elsewhere, Luke Donald celebrated his inclusion in Europe's Ryder Cup team by clinching birdies on each of the first six holes on his way to a three-under 68. The world No. 10 was, along with Padraig Harrington and Edoardo Molinari, handed one of Colin Montgomerie's three wildcard picks for the October tournament at Celtic Manor.

Donald set about silencing critics of Montgomerie's selection by getting off to a blistering start, but he faded badly after reaching the turn in a seven-under 28. He was unable to sustain the momentum, and succumbed to five bogeys on the back nine that spoiled his scorecard somewhat.

"I certainly could have won, that was a great start, I was in the zone. Everything was going right, and then the back nine wasn't so hot. I went out in 28, then I found out I was in the Ryder Cup team and I didn't have to try," joked Donald, who finished at six under alongside Ian Poulter and Justin Rose.

"I found out at the tenth [about the Ryder Cup team]. It was a lot of relief, there were a lot of guys that could have got a pick. This was very up in the air, and there have been some anxious moments in the last few days."

Harrington may be joining Donald at the Ryder Cup, but he was outshone on the final day by a player who was controversially omitted from Montgomerie's squad - Casey. While the Irishman, who posted five bogeys in a 75, was forced to endure a disappointing day, Casey set about sending Montgomerie a pointed reminder of his talents.

The world No. 9, who finished third at the Open championship in July and has played at three Ryder Cups, looked a cut above Harrington as he signed for a 69 that saw him end the tournament at seven under.

It has been a tumultuous few days for Tiger Woods - he was at the head of the field after 18 holes, but struggled on subsequent days - but the world No. 1 signed off on a high note with a 67 that saw him complete at seven under.

The 34-year-old was particularly enthused with his putting - he needed just 27 strokes on the green - having struggled to put birdie chances away in his previous rounds.

"I hit the ball a lot better and finally today I made some putts. Only difference today is that I made some putts," Woods said. "Going to keep going with it and be committed to what I'm doing on every shot."

The Barclays is the first of four FedEx Cup play-offs; the next tournament, the Deutsche Bank Championship, begins next week. Kuchar tops the standings after his victory.