After a week’s worth of back-and-forth with Mayakoba Classic caddie David “El Tucan” Ortiz and blistering reaction from fans at the Genesis Open and across print, digital, broadcast and social media, embattled PGA Tour pro Matt Kuchar relented Friday.
Kuchar issued a statement released through the PGA Tour in which he apologized for previous remarks he made about Ortiz’ “financial situation” and agreed to pay Ortiz the amount he requested for his time on Kuchar’s bag in Mexico.
Kuchar had paid Ortiz $5,000 after he won the Mayakoba last November. The amount Ortiz requested, according to reports this week, was $50,000.
Ortiz turned down an offer of $15,000 and told Kuchar’s camp “they can keep their money,”
Kuchar earned $1.296 million for his victory. Kuchar held firm earlier this week in the belief he paid Ortiz a fair amount for the Mayakoba win.
“It’s done. Listen, I feel like I was fair and good,” Kuchar said Wednesday. “So I certainly don’t lose sleep over this. This is something that I’m quite happy with, and I was really happy for him to have a great week and make a good sum of money. Making $5,000 is a great week.”
Making $50,000 is even better.
