ADVERTISEMENT

OT:Matt Kuchar bad guy or horribly bad guy?

mwulf

mwulf

Offensive Coordinator
Dec 15, 2013
8,789
8,228
113
Thigh Land
https://nypost.com/2019/02/12/matt-...&utm_source=NYPSportsTwitter&sr_share=twitter

Matt Kuchar’s “lucky charm” substitute caddie said he was stiffed out of as much as $45,000 after the golfer won last year’s Mayakoba Classic in Mexico, according to a report this week.

David Giral Ortiz, a local caddie nicknamed “El Tucan,” was paid just $5,000 after Kuchar’s one-stroke victory in the November tournament, he told Golf.com. Kuchar’s earnings for the tournament, his first win in four years, came out to $1,296,000.

Ortiz said he was offered another $15,000 by Kuchar’s agent but turned it down, finding it to be an unacceptable amount. “No thank you,” he told Golf.com. “They can keep their money.”
 
If they agreed on the price, Kuchar offered more than that then I don’t see how he’s getting hammered so much.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wasker77
jmliehr said:
If they agreed on the price, Kuchar offered more than that then I don’t see how he’s getting hammered so much.
Click to expand...
Where does it say they agreed on a price? Even if they agreed beforehand, the fact he won, and banked close to $1.3 mill, would allow for a little more than agreed upon...

This was in the article telling us what one might expect...

“Caddies on the PGA Tour typically get 5 percent of a player’s earnings and can make as much as 10 percent for a win or a top-10 finish. Before the tournament, the 40-year-old was told he’d earn $3,000 plus an unspecified percentage of Kuchar’s earnings.”

Was the unspecified amount .1%? I highly doubt it... even 5% would be $65,000... this is a bad look for Kuchar...
 
  • Like
Reactions: bigboxes, dinglefritz and andegre
Kuch is a dick then. Almost positive caddies typically get 10% of winnings. And if this guy was a local, substitute caddie, he VERY much helped Kuch with the win with this local knowledge of where to hit, where to miss if you miss, dont go long here etc etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HuskerDana, NikkiSixx and timnsun
Never cared much for Kuchar, who always struck me as a bit of a phony who just likes to play nice for the TV cameras. But if I'm the caddie, I would rather have the additional $15K than a sad story to tell reporters.
 
  • Like
Reactions: blackbones and JohnRossEwing
Well the caddy sure showed him, by letting Kuchar keep all of his money. Kuchar will know better than to do biz with a guy he doesn't have to pay again!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hail Varsity
Sounds like Kuchar was really cheap, but after hearing the guy turned down an additional 15 big ones, I have a hard time feeling too sorry for him. Regular tour caddies would get much more but remember that they travel the globe with their guy and that obviously places a big strain on their personal lives. And of course, if their guy is hurt, playing poorly, decides to take a hiatus etc. their income is toast.

Although it is a separate topic, I think the whole pro caddy system is no longer justified. While riding around in golf carts is a bad look, electrified “pull carts” allow PGA and LPGA players to walk without toting their giant bags. Then, the final result would not be affected by who has the better caddy.
 
Last edited:
artist3 said:
They agreed on an amount Tuesday before the start of the tournament. So, if he missed the cut, the caddie still got that amount. The caddy didn’t have to agree to the terms.

http://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/25992336/make-everybody-happy
Click to expand...
Thanks for sharing this, hadn’t seen that. The Caddy should have been more diligent on what would happen should Kuchar have a top 10 finish or better.

Having said that, if it’s customary to tip your caddy 5 to 10%, especially after winning $1.3 million, you would think Kuchar could’ve come a little stronger.

When did he offer the $15,000? Was it after the story broke? I think that matters… If it was before the story broke, then this shouldn’t even be a story.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SeaOfRed75
timnsun said:
...

Having said that, if it’s customary to tip your caddy 5 to 10%, especially after winning $1.3 million, you would think Kuchar could’ve come a little stronger.

...
Click to expand...
I hate to sound like an apologist for a guy I don’t even root for but as I noted in a post above, regular tour caddies take a crap shoot by working for a single pro. Their personal lives are defined by the whims of their employer and their income can crash if the pro is hurt, playing poorly or decides to take a lengthy break. So yeah, they get a big payday if their guy wins but it is surprising how few pros ever win tournaments. Google the list of all-time tour wins and you will see how rare the Tigers and Phils are. A few years ago I scanned the Waste Management field bios and if I remember correctly less than 10% had ever won a tournament. ( Of course, now days it helps the have nots that Tiger isn’t winning half a dozen each year.)


I agree Kuchar was cheap but I don’t think the guy should have expected anything close to what a tour caddy would expect. I would even argue that Kuchar’s regular caddy who had been following him around the globe for the past four years with no wins should have been given a bigger bonus than the four-day sub — and perhaps he was.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: huskerfan1414
Sodakred said:
I hate to sound like an apologist for a guy I don’t even root for but as I noted in a post above, regular tour caddies take a crap shoot by working for a single pro. Their personal lives are defined by the whims of their employer and their income can crash if the pro is hurt, playing poorly or decides to take a lengthy break. So yeah, they get a big payday if their guy wins but it is surprising how few pros ever win tournaments. Google the list of all-time tour wins and you will see how rare the Tigers and Phils are. A few years ago I scanned the Waste Management field bios and if I remember correctly less than 10% had ever won a tournament. ( Of course, now days it helps the have nots that Tiger isn’t winning half a dozen each year.)


I agree Kutcher was cheap but I don’t think the guy should have expected anything close to what a tour caddy would expect. I would even argue that Kuchar’s regular caddy who had been following him around the globe for the past four years with no wins should have been given a bigger bonus than the four-day sub — and perhaps he was.
Click to expand...
I appreciate that, and you are right... I wasn’t necessarily advocating for what a regular tour caddy would receive. My issue is that Kuchar won $1.3 mill and gave the caddy an extra $2000 above the agreed upon fee. He couldn’t afford more than that?

And it makes sense that he might share his earnings with his regular tour caddy as well. But after that tournament, his bank account was richer by 7 digits.

Considering the caddy makes maybe $1400 a week for his services, I guess $5000 over 4 days is great.

All that being said, Kuchar still looks cheap in my opinion. Less of a jerk than before, after reading the ESPN article, but still cheap.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dinglefritz and SeaOfRed75
timnsun said:
Where does it say they agreed on a price? Even if they agreed beforehand, the fact he won, and banked close to $1.3 mill, would allow for a little more than agreed upon...

This was in the article telling us what one might expect...

“Caddies on the PGA Tour typically get 5 percent of a player’s earnings and can make as much as 10 percent for a win or a top-10 finish. Before the tournament, the 40-year-old was told he’d earn $3,000 plus an unspecified percentage of Kuchar’s earnings.”

Was the unspecified amount .1%? I highly doubt it... even 5% would be $65,000... this is a bad look for Kuchar...
Click to expand...

Matt sat down for a 20 minute interview & outlined their agreement. He gave him an extra $1,000. I think he was being cheap. Usually pro's give 7-10% of their purse to their caddies, but the caddie agreed to a set amount before the tournament. His usual wage is $100-$200 a day.......so for the week he got 5-10 times his normal rate.
After winning he should have given a bigger cut -but he didn't.
MK is one of the good guys on tour & he made a poor decision.
 
  • Like
Reactions: dinglefritz
Sodakred said:
Sounds like Kuchar was really cheap, but after hearing the guy turned down an additional 15 big ones, I have a hard time feeling too sorry for him. Regular tour caddies would get much more but remember that they travel the globe with their guy and that obviously places a big strain on their personal lives. And of course, if their guy is hurt, playing poorly, decides to take a hiatus etc. their income is toast.

Although it is a separate topic, I think the whole pro caddy system is no longer justified. While riding around in golf carts is a bad look, electrified “pull carts” allow PGA and LPGA players to walk without toting their giant bags. Then, the final result would not be affected by who has the better caddy.
Click to expand...
A good caddie does a whole lot more than tote a bag. They give a ton of on course advice & keep their player within his game & mentally calm.
 
mwulf said:
https://nypost.com/2019/02/12/matt-...&utm_source=NYPSportsTwitter&sr_share=twitter

Matt Kuchar’s “lucky charm” substitute caddie said he was stiffed out of as much as $45,000 after the golfer won last year’s Mayakoba Classic in Mexico, according to a report this week.

David Giral Ortiz, a local caddie nicknamed “El Tucan,” was paid just $5,000 after Kuchar’s one-stroke victory in the November tournament, he told Golf.com. Kuchar’s earnings for the tournament, his first win in four years, came out to $1,296,000.

Ortiz said he was offered another $15,000 by Kuchar’s agent but turned it down, finding it to be an unacceptable amount. “No thank you,” he told Golf.com. “They can keep their money.”
Click to expand...
Kuchar is a known quantity on tour and is highly thought of. Based on what I've observed first hand as well in Maui several times I say Kuchar is a great and trusting person
 
  • Like
Reactions: ihuskcorn and dinglefritz
giphy.gif
 
  • Like
Reactions: tpmcg and ridge222
Kuchar made a poor decision, regardless of the agreement. And stupid prideful caddy shouldve taken the 15k apology money. Spend it on hookers and blow, whatever. Just take the money. Pride doesnt buy shit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HuskerDana, tpmcg and timnsun
I guess I disagree about this thing...first of all Kuchar strikes me as a guy who does really drive to win...just stay close to earn a check...he's the last guy I would want on the tour to have to make big shot for my side to win...

But I digress...yes, they agreed before...and you know what?? THINGS CHANGED...HE WON THE TOURNEY...HE GOT A TON OF MONEY...he HAS a ton of money....

I don't care...the caddy may be wrong to gripe, but what a tightwad Kuchar...
 
Most PGA golfers are spoiled rich kids that really are not that pleasant. Walk a PGA event and listen to them talk and watch their body language.

You may not find this so surprising if you've done that. The Don Johnson character in tin cup fits the bill for most of them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 9and4
Honestly, is anyone else shocked that pros really need a caddy for "help", I mean, I get the yardage book and shit like that...but once you do your practice rounds and have that all charted do you really need a caddy to be like "Ummm, yeah the wind is blowing right to left"

Yeah, thanks bro...I super hope I win now so that I can give you 10% of my 1.5 million for telling me it is windy. If only I could also feel the wind and see that ****ing flag over there moving to the left.
 
  • Like
Reactions: huskerhomie
JohnRossEwing said:
Honestly, is anyone else shocked that pros really need a caddy for "help", I mean, I get the yardage book and shit like that...but once you do your practice rounds and have that all charted do you really need a caddy to be like "Ummm, yeah the wind is blowing right to left"

Yeah, thanks bro...I super hope I win now so that I can give you 10% of my 1.5 million for telling me it is windy. If only I could also feel the wind and see that ****ing flag over there moving to the left.
Click to expand...
Sure, but the good caddies go out and study all the potential pin placements, the drainage patterns and every nook and cranny around the greens. Because these guys aren't just looking to put the ball on the green, they are aiming at targets the size of a coffee table.
 
schuele said:
Sure, but the good caddies go out and study all the potential pin placements, the drainage patterns and every nook and cranny around the greens. Because these guys aren't just looking to put the ball on the green, they are aiming at targets the size of a coffee table.
Click to expand...
Trust me, I get it, but most of these courses have been played over and over by these guys...
 
Now that we have hopefully finished with Kuchar, did you see the news today? Before rain washed out the Genesis Open round “What Will Phil Do Next” hit into three bunkers on one par 4 hole — and still shot a par.Laughing
 
Sodakred said:
Now that we have hopefully finished with Kuchar, did you see the news today? Before rain washed out the Genesis Open round “What Will Phil Do Next” hit into three bunkers on one par 4 hole — and still shot a par.Laughing
Click to expand...
so he holed out?
 
FWIW... this story on PTI said Kuchar is not only taking a beating but his brands can’t be happy... what happened to being a generous person?
 
  • Like
Reactions: timnsun
spartanhusker said:
FWIW... this story on PTI said Kuchar is not only taking a beating but his brands can’t be happy... what happened to being a generous person?
Click to expand...

Its all ridiculous.

He agreed to an upfromt amount with a person who is an adult way oveer the age of 18 who KNOWS what tour caddies make yet still made te deal for himself.

He then went back to kutcher asking for more, was offered an extra 15k on top of the 5k, he turned it down. Thats on the caddy.

All this caddy is doing is trying to social media blackmail this guy because he is greedy and he made a stupid agreement and regrets it. He was offered and additional 15k that he never had to offer him period. The caddy was being greedy point blank.

Yeah u guys arguing that Kutcher is cheap are wrong. I am sure there were plenty of local club caddies that would have taken the job had the 1st guy wanted too much $$ that Kutcherncould have used, do dont make it out like he was the only guy that could have carried his bags. Hell he may have been able to find someone cheaper than this guy if we are actually talking serious.

If Kutch would have not offered him more above the 5k, I could say, yeah thats cheap, but the caddie turning down an extra 15k I am not going to call the guy cheap, this caddy had every intention of blackmailing this guy on social media if he didnt meet a set price, I think thats wrong....
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: EatsBugs
bleed husker red said:
Most PGA golfers are spoiled rich kids that really are not that pleasant. Walk a PGA event and listen to them talk and watch their body language.

You may not find this so surprising if you've done that. The Don Johnson character in tin cup fits the bill for most of them.
Click to expand...
Their profession is to play golf, the rich white person sport of rich white people sports (yes I know, but tigers not white and all that). How would them being douches surprise anybody?
 
huskerhomie said:
Its all ridiculous.

He agreed to an upfromt amount with a person who is an adult way oveer the age of 18 who KNOWS what tour caddies make yet still made te deal for himself.

He then went back to kutcher asking for more, was offered an extra 15k on top of the 5k, he turned it down. Thats on the caddy.

All this caddy is doing is trying to social media blackmail this guy because he is greedy and he made a stupid agreement and regrets it. He was offered and additional 15k that he never had to offer him period. The caddy was being greedy point blank.

Yeah u guys arguing that Kutcher is cheap are wrong. I am sure there were plenty of local club caddies that would have taken the job had the 1st guy wanted too much $$ that Kutcherncould have used, do dont make it out like he was the only guy that could have carried his bags. Hell he may have been able to find someone cheaper than this guy if we are actually talking serious.

If Kutch would have not iffered him more above the 5k, I could say, yeah thats cheap, but the caddie turning down an extra 15k I am not going to call the guy cheap, this caddy had ecery intention of blackmailing this guy om social media if he didnt meet a ser price, O think thats wrong....
Click to expand...
When did he offer more? After the initial gift... why could he not do it before?
 
mwulf said:
https://nypost.com/2019/02/12/matt-...&utm_source=NYPSportsTwitter&sr_share=twitter

Matt Kuchar’s “lucky charm” substitute caddie said he was stiffed out of as much as $45,000 after the golfer won last year’s Mayakoba Classic in Mexico, according to a report this week.

David Giral Ortiz, a local caddie nicknamed “El Tucan,” was paid just $5,000 after Kuchar’s one-stroke victory in the November tournament, he told Golf.com. Kuchar’s earnings for the tournament, his first win in four years, came out to $1,296,000.

Ortiz said he was offered another $15,000 by Kuchar’s agent but turned it down, finding it to be an unacceptable amount. “No thank you,” he told Golf.com. “They can keep their money.”
Click to expand...

Kuchar could have paid him more and should have originally. Coming back with the extra amount was probably part-regret and part damage control. Regardless, they entered into a financial deal and Kuchar fulfilled it.

It doesn't change my view of him much. By all accounts he's a good guy, who made a bad choice and now he's getting hammered for it. In the scheme of things in sports that we see happening, this really is much ado about nothing.
 
huskerhomie said:
Its all ridiculous.

He agreed to an upfromt amount with a person who is an adult way oveer the age of 18 who KNOWS what tour caddies make yet still made te deal for himself.

He then went back to kutcher asking for more, was offered an extra 15k on top of the 5k, he turned it down. Thats on the caddy.

All this caddy is doing is trying to social media blackmail this guy because he is greedy and he made a stupid agreement and regrets it. He was offered and additional 15k that he never had to offer him period. The caddy was being greedy point blank.

Yeah u guys arguing that Kutcher is cheap are wrong. I am sure there were plenty of local club caddies that would have taken the job had the 1st guy wanted too much $$ that Kutcherncould have used, do dont make it out like he was the only guy that could have carried his bags. Hell he may have been able to find someone cheaper than this guy if we are actually talking serious.

If Kutch would have not iffered him more above the 5k, I could say, yeah thats cheap, but the caddie turning down an extra 15k I am not going to call the guy cheap, this caddy had ecery intention of blackmailing this guy om social media if he didnt meet a ser price, O think thats wrong....
Click to expand...
Kuchar didn’t offer him more money. Kuchar said the $5000 was what was agreed upon and even above what was agreed upon. End of story. Kuchar’s agent offered the additional $15,000 trying to end the story. Don’t make Kuchar into this great guy who offered him extra money. Because he didn’t. Re-read the articles…
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lee P
No by all accounts (his peees) is a phony. A complete sham and not good to those that help him be successful.

I hope his endorsements fall apart and the money he would have paid out pales in comparison to the financial damage to his reputation.

Karma is a bitch
 
  • Like
Reactions: timnsun
From what I have read, it wasn't the caddie who fed this story to a reporter. Someone else did that, and the reporter contacted the caddie to confirm it.

While I still think the caddie would have been smart to take the $15K offered by Kuchar's agent, it takes an extremely vivid imagination to conclude that the caddie is a greedy blackmail artist.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lee P and timnsun
You must log in or register to reply here.
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest posts

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Top Bottom
Back