Golf

Matt Kuchar apologises and agrees to pay caddie in full

American originally paid David Ortiz $5,000 despite winning $1.3 million in Mexico

Matt Kuchar has apologised and agreed to pay temporary caddie David Ortiz in full. Photograph: Cliff Hawkins/Getty

Sat Feb 16 2019 - 12:37

Matt Kuchar has issued an apology and said he will pay a temporary caddie in full following his victory in the Mayakoba Golf Classic last November.

Kuchar, 40, this week defended his decision to pay $5,000 US dollars (€4,400) to local caddie David "El Tucan" Ortiz, who had stepped in for regular caddie John Wood.

World number 22 Kuchar collected a winner’s cheque for $1.3 million (€1.15 1 million) after ending a four-year winless drought and caddies can usually expect to receive up to 10 per cent depending on their arrangement with the player.

Ortiz had asked for $50,000 (€44,278), rather than 10 per cent of the first prize, it is understood.

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“This week, I made comments that were out of touch and insensitive, making a bad situation worse,” Kuchar said in a statement.

“They made it seem like I was marginalising David Ortiz and his financial situation, which was not my intention. I read them again and cringed.

“That is not who I am and not what I want to represent. In this situation, I have not lived up to those values or to the expectations I’ve set for myself.

“I let myself, my family, my partners and those close to me down, but I also let David down.

“I plan to call David (on Friday night), something that is long overdue, to apologise for the situation he has been put in, and I have made sure he has received the full total that he has requested.”

Kuchar, who said earlier this week he would “not be losing sleep” over the row, confirmed he had paid Ortiz $5,000 and that he subsequently offered an additional $15,000, which Ortiz refused, after the story became public.

According to Kuchar, he and Ortiz originally agreed to a bonus structure which would have allowed Ortiz to make up to $4,000 US dollars for the week.

“I never wanted to bring any negativity to the Mayakoba Golf Classic,” Kuchar added.

“I feel it is my duty to represent the tournament well, so I am making a donation back to the event, to be distributed to the many philanthropic causes working to positively impact the communities of Playa del Carmen and Cancun.

“For my fans, as well as fans of the game, I want to apologise to you for not representing the values instilled in this incredible sport.”

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