Golf has had its fair share of moments in 2024 but when Matt Kuchar decided to walk off on 18 yesterday at the Wyndham Championship, things took a very strange turn.
With the light turning in and Kuchar nowhere near being in contention, the experienced American opted to walk off and pick up his ball.
However, as the tournament was finished up and his playing partner Max Greyserman finished up anyway, it left everyone around the course even more stunned.
Nevertheless, Kuchar stuck by his decision and he was out on the course this morning on his own to complete the final hole.
For what it’s worth, he made par to cement a share of 12th place.
Of course, ‘Kooch’ knew the media would be waiting for him afterwards and thankfully, he offered up some sort of explanation for his decision.
Matt Kuchar speaks out after coming back to the play the 18th at the Wyndham Championship
Speaking to the media afterwards and trying to almost apologise for what he did, Kuchar did at least admit things did ‘stink’ a bit for those who had to stay around.
“Again, it stinks to – nobody wants to be that guy that’s showing up today, one person, one hole. Not even one hole, half a hole to putt,” Kuchar said.
“So apologies to the tournament, to everybody that had to come out. I know it stinks, I know the ramifications, I know it stinks.
“Certainly I apologize to force everybody to come out here.”
Kuchar decision was just ridiculous
The apology is all well and good but no matter how it’s framed, this was just another bad look for a player who has had more than one of those in his career.
Kuchar should simply have finished up. Yes, there were OWGR points at stake and money. But from the money side of things, it’s not like it made a huge difference, given he’s earned north of $50m in his career.
Kuchar will look back and regret this a bit. Indeed, the golf fans around the world were not impressed with Kuchar either.
In a way, it overshadowed a stunning win for Aaron Rai and above anything else, that’s what really ‘stinks’ as Kuchar puts it.
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