PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., May 13 (UPI) -- Matt Kuchar fought off a late challenge by Martin Laird Sunday, carding a 2-under-par 70 in the final round to win The Players Championship.
Kuchar collected his fourth career PGA Tour title thanks to steady play down the stretch as Laird drained five birdies in a seven-hole span from the seventh to grab a share of the lead.
But Laird couldn't match Kuchar's cool at the end, closing with a bogey to post a 5-under 67 and end at 11-under 277 -- two strokes behind the winner.
Sharing second place with Laird at minus-11 were Zach Johnson (68), Ben Curtis (68) and Rickie Fowler (70), who was coming off a win in last week's Wells Fargo Championship.
Kevin Na, who led after three rounds, slid to a 4-over 76 and ended with a share of seventh place at 8-under 280.
Luke Donald won't be able to reclaim his world No. 1 ranking after finishing in sixth place at minus-9 following Sunday's round of 6-under 66.
