Golf: Kuchar earns masters place

Matt Kuchar’s first US Tour victory has brought the former amateur star an unexpected bonus a place in the Masters next month.

Kuchar, who fired a closing 66 to win the Honda Classic in Florida, moved up from 149th to 50th in the world rankings on the very day that the Augusta National Club invited the top 50 to the first Major of the year.

John Daly and South African Rory Sabbatini are the others to take advantage of the chance, the remaining 47 having already earned exemptions.

Kuchar triumphed in only his 17th event as a professional.

The 23-year-old, who succeeded Tiger Woods as US amateur champion five years ago, finished 21st in the Masters in 1998 the best by an amateur in 20 years then came 14th in the US Open two months later.