Kuchar Finally Shows Common Decency Agreeing To Pay Mayakoba Classic Winning Caddie

7 years ago by Comments Off on Kuchar Finally Shows Common Decency Agreeing To Pay Mayakoba Classic Winning Caddie

Embattled Matt Kuchar has finally shown some common decency and agreeing to pay his Mayakoba Golf Classic winning caddy the reported $50,000 fee he has been seeking following the American’s success late last year.

In a statement released by Kuchar mid-afternoon Friday at the Genesis Open, Kuchar apologised for being out of touch and insensitive, and making a bad situation worse.

All credit to leading US golf journalist, Michael Bamberger who reached out to caddy David Ortiz that will now see the 40-year old caddy now be paid for his services in caddying for Kuchar who ended an over four-year winless drought in capturing last November what was then his eighth PGA Tour title.

Kuchar has won in excess of $47m in his career, earning $1.296m for his Mayakoba win and then $1.152m in sealing victory in last month’s Sony Hawaii Open.

Kuchar would have also pocketed around $500,00 for his appearance in last November’s Australian Open in Sydney and the following week’s World Cup of Golf in Melbourne that would have covered flights, hotels and any sight-seeing activities for his wife and two children.

The 40-year old has been known for his ‘always smiling’ image, and as we have noticed in his Sketcher ads, but that has now been seriously tarnished since Bamberger made contact with Ortiz to reveal the honest-working caddy who Kuchar singled out for praise following his win, received a bonus payment of just $5,000, despite suggestions ahead of the Mexican tournament he would get ‘an unspecified percentage of Kuchar’s winnings.

Then in a PR nightmare, Kuchar was interviewed and defended his actions saying:  “It’s done.  Listen, I feel like I was fair and good.  You can’t make everybody happy.  You’re not going to buy people’s ability to be OK with you, and this seems to be a social media issue more than anything.  I think it shouldn’t be, knowing that there was a complete, agreed-upon deal not only did I meet but exceeded”.

There was also the scenario today in Kuchar’s first round here in the rain-affected Riviera Country Club event with clear audible ‘boos’ among the usual ‘Kooch’ spectator support.

And Kuchar is definitely not the only high-ranking PGA Tour player known for being stingy with his earnings.

This author has dealt with a few players in recent years who I have professionally assisted with regards aspects of their games but I still await their promised payment.

It’s a common gripe also among coaches and also caddies.

 



Comments are closed.