Matt Kuchar’s reputation may be permanently tarnished in the eyes of many following the fallout from his Mayakoba Golf Classic victory last fall, but for at least one golf fan on social media, that reputation never held much merit.
As the golf world reacted to the latest twist in the Kuchar-David Giral Ortiz (a.k.a. El Tucan) saga on Tuesday, Twitter user Legal Hooks shared his own Kuchar-caddie story, which took place during the Web.com (then Nationwide) Tour’s Rheem Classic presented by Times Record held at Hardscrabble Country Club in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Kuchar’s Local Caddie Speaks Out About Payment
The first day that we’re on the course, Bryce is going to play a practice round with Chez Reavie, Matt Kuchar, & a 4th who I can’t remember. I do everything I can to keep up and follow the lead of the professional caddies who were in the group with the other guys. 2/8
— Legal Hooks (@LegalHooks) February 12, 2019
Chez & the 4th guy in the group hand some free ice cream to their caddies. Matt turns to me and hands me what I thought was ice cream for me. I tell him thank you very much and start to open it. He yells at me to stop like I’m about to set off a bomb. 4/8
— Legal Hooks (@LegalHooks) February 12, 2019
After everyone hits & we start walking down 10 fairway, his caddy comes over and pats me on the back and offers me a granola bar that he had. It was obvious that Kuch always treated people like this. 6/8
— Legal Hooks (@LegalHooks) February 12, 2019
So, this is a long rant just to say that Kuch has always been a guy who demeaned and talked down to caddies. I’m sure he treats all “the help” like that. I’m glad the story about #ElTucan came out so that everyone can see it. 8/8
— Legal Hooks (@LegalHooks) February 12, 2019
Kuchar Accused Of Stiffing Caddie After Mayakoba Win
Legal Hooks wrapped up his story about being snubbed ice cream from a Tour pro as a “chubby, 5’4″, 16 y/o” by saying, “this is a long rant just to say that Kuch has always been a guy who demeaned and talked down to caddies. I’m glad the story about #ElTucan came out so that everyone can see it.”
Though Kuchar hasn’t spoken about the Mayakoba controversy since being asked by GolfDigest.com’s Brian Wacker in Hawaii at the Sony Open, being in the field this week at The Genesis Open may require another denial from the (former) fan favorite.