Matt Kuchar lets lead slip as Camilo Villegas comes into contention at WWT Championship

The American would eventually sign for an adventurous five under 67 around the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal at Diamante in Mexico on Saturday. This was enough to tie second-round leader Camilo Villegas at the top on 19 under for the tournament, one stroke ahead of South African hopeful Erik van Rooyen who is alone in third.

Kuchar enjoyed a bright start, making the tun in 29 at seven under thanks to an eagle and a string of birdies. The veteran even improved to ten under after three consecutive birdies and there was talk of an elusive 59.

But it all fell apart on the par four 15th. Kuchar had to tee up again after losing his ball in the native area then struggled to get on the dance floor, with two of his chips rolling back down the slope in front of the green.

Rattled after signing for a quadruple-bogey eight, he then bogeyed the 16th and came home with two pars.

"The drive was terrible, so that was two shots right there," reflected the 45-year-old on pgatour.com.

"That's a fairway that's 70 yards wide. I mean, I hit that one in my sleep. Just tried to ride (the wind) and, you know, that one I'd love to have back.

"This course has some trickiness to it. That 15th hole is one I think we all have circled I think this could be a big number and for me it was today."

Nonetheless, Kuchar backed his mental strength and promised to come out strong again on Sunday. The nine-time PGA Tour winner is seeking his first silverware since 2019.

"It's golf... every hole has the same value, the same importance to it," continued Kuchar.

"I shoot five under and you could look at it multiple different ways. I shot five under today, played really good golf. I really like the state of my game, so here I am.

"I'm pretty good at letting that stuff roll off my back. I let that one roll off my back and am going to try to play some good golf tomorrow.

"All in all, I still feel like I'm playing really good golf. Certainly would love to be six shots clear of where I am at the moment, but I'm in a good spot and certainly excited for tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Villegas also endured a tumultuous round, signing for a 69 after four bogeys and seven birdies.

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