Mother Nature helps Kuchar sink putt

When it comes to golf Mother Nature is more often a hindrance than a godsend.

But US golfer Matt Kuchar found lady luck smiling when he appeared destined to finish with a double bogey on a hole during his opening round at the Fiji International.

Playing in 60km/h winds at Natadola Bay Golf Course, Kuchar missed a long putt for par when a gale blew his ball almost six feet past the hole.

He then followed up by missing the ensuing bogey putt when his ball slid two feet beyond the cup.

But just as all hope looked lost, the wind gusted again to blow the ball into the hole for a stunningly lucky save.

Kuchar, who shot 74 to finish the round in second place, was blown away by his stroke of fortune.

"I don't think I've ever seen a ball blown backwards two-feet into the hole," he said.