It was disgusting what the caddy did, in terms of blackmailing Kuchar using social media. If her were honorable, he would have kept to the terms he agreed to.
He better enjoy that $50K paycheck. It's unlikely anyone will ever want to hire him again.
4
Kuchar is helping Trump’s golf buddies Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus give golf a bad reputation. It’s called being hopelessly clueless.
29
Only after a public shaming does Kuchar cough up a bit more (we don’t know how much). What a creep.
30
Watching the Genesis Open today and Kuchar apologized and said he would call Ortiz and pay him what he asked for. I am assuming that is $50000 Since the event was last November I think this article and the comments made the golfer see the light. Too bad Ortiz didn’t ask for the 10 percent. But $50000 is a decent amount. I doubt from the wording of the apology that Kuchar will give Ortiz the $130000
7
If Kuchar had missed the cut Mr. Ortiz would have been paid $1,000 for 2 days work while Kuchar would have been paid zero. They are not partners. Mr. Ortiz did not spend years working to become one of the worlds best at what he does. He has no more claim to 10% of Kuchar’s earnings than the clerk who sells someone a winning lottery ticket.
9
Kuchar handled it poorly, and under duress, apologized and increased his payment. The caddie should have clarified in advance what the payment would have been given that he is not Matt's regular caddie. And Karen Crouse should have reported what the typical payment scale is for replacement caddies, which would have been more relevant here than quoting standard rates. And if it turns out that replacement caddies get paid at the same rate as regular caddies, that would be good to know, too.
There was room for all the professionals central to this story to do better. And that includes Matt's agent.
14
#not enough
Pay the full ten per cent, thank the Lord (or your personal Higher Power) for a special day, a breakthrough win, and effective assistance.
16
No excuse for Matt's initial behavior, greed and insensitivity. And no credit to him for paying up now as he never would have done so if he weren't guilted into it. I was a Kuchar fan for a long time, but never again. Had his caddie been, white and had this tournament been played in the U.S. the payment would have been totally different. Easy to say you don't discriminate after you've been caught and your reputation is on the line. More important to actually be that way.
21
25 years ago the Western Open was a fund raiser for the Evan Scholars Caddie scholarship program. the ES caddies donated their time to caddie for the pro's, the pro's gave the caddie fees to the scholarship program. When Greg Norman won, he gave the 10% fee to the program and he gave the kid who caddie'd for him the standard 10% fee as well. So, just saying...........
15
Kuchar got greedy. He did it because he thought he could. But he ended up doing the right thing. We all make mistakes. Which one among us does not have an occasional fit of greed? He ended up doing the right thing. Ultimately this will inure to the benefit of the caddie. After all this publicity, he will be in line for a tour bag. He should name his next son Matt. Stay tuned.
4
Ethics is what you do when you don't think anyone else is watching.
Period.
44
Regardless of the agreement between Kuchar and Ortiz, I would think that Kuchar, having won for the 1st time in 4 years would have thought of it on his own to throw his caddy a fat bonus. 50k given in the first place (or even in hindsight in the months that followed) would have been an extraordinary payday for Ortiz and a large discount for Kuchar over having his regular caddie on the bag. Instead, Kuchar has likely cost himself the loss of many fans and subsequently sponsorship/promotional dollars. A classic case of being "penny wise and pound foolish".
22
Kudos to Kuchar. He missed a chance (at first) to do something wonderful and change a man's life; but he's fixed that, not with just a check, but with a heartfelt apology that restores the dignity of Mr. Ortiz. Case-closed, Matt, and the charge of temporary insanity on a golf course is expunged from your moral scorecard. In other words: Phil Mickelson, you ain't.
And to honor Kuchar's apology, here's a salve: Had your regular caddy been with you for the win in Mexico, it would've cost you $125,000. As it turns out, you only doled out $50,000 for the services of his replacement---and STILL won the tournament! How does life get any better than that, Kooch?
2
It is possible and probably realistic to think that
without the caddie's knowledge and skills in playing that particular golf course Kucher does not win. Looked on in this way Kucher is just another robber barron.
18
Working as a caddy is not the same as working as an employee at a company. Yes, a good caddy can make a golfer's life easier but all of the skill in hitting the ball with maximum effect comes from the golfer.
The caddy is certainly entitled to a bonus but he is not entitled to a 10% share of the golfer's winnings. He is not the golfer's agent. He does not generate revenue. If a lawyer won a big settlement for her client, is her secretary entitled to a 10% share?
Kuchar is just a typical country club Republican, like the vast majority of the PGA members. Is anyone at all surprised by his behavior? Anyone?
22
We are getting lots of mini lectures on how golf works, justifying Kuchar's round one and two payouts 'attempts.' Just think of how this story mighta been written if the payout to Mr. Ortiz was toooooooooo much.
Another thing- Kuchar is gonna have plenty of other chances to play in tournaments and make big or decent money. I don't think Mr. Ortiz's future opportunities will match Kuchar's.
$5000, then $50,000? I think in golf that there is a $50,000 penalty for underpaying your caddie.
Read the rule book, people.
5
Surely now, on second thought, Colin changed his mind.
It sure seems easy for all of these commenters to merrily give away lots of someone else's money.
2
We Americans are in theory a most generous people yet we live in a society where greed and getting the most for what we do is a norm. To a guy worth perhaps a hundred million bucks what’s 50 K? To Mr Ortiz it’s an immense amount. I’m glad Kooch did what he ultimately did and I hope he did it for the correct reasons. I’m still a fan.
2
So, after so much negative publicity, Kuchar is possibly offering $45,000 ? That shows how truly lacking in empathy and out of touch he is. Really ? How about, at a minimum, the 10% or more his regular caddy would likely have received. If it were not for the knowledge this Mexican caddy shared with Kuchar there would have been no win and no $1,000,000 plus prize. Can’t believe he continues to be this selfish.
9
He only paid the caddy today because of public backlash. He thought he got away with more money. Don't give the guy a single bit of credit.
17
Forty-five million isn't what it used to be. Mr. Kuchar is struggling to make ends meet even with his lucrative endorsement deals. Bag lunches, Skechers golf shoes, sandbagging the local caddie, just to keep afloat.
14
Kuchar, once a favorite of mine, owes Ortiz $130k, simple as that. What would Arnie have done? How often do we have an opportunity to change a man's life?
13
This is easily explained via behavioral economics and the anchoring heuristic. It is a common situation and the heuristic is a prevalent one impacting decision-making. If we look at the deal outlined the reference point was about $3000 so the additional bonus was a generous $2000 or 67%. Even at $4000 the bonus would be $1000 or 25%. These bonus payments are large when compared to the anchor of $3000. The commentary is anchoring at the 10% standard bonus for professional caddies. Hence, the major criticism. The greater truth is we all are subject to these types of heuristics, even golfers and the wealthy. In the end, the decision-making frame work changed with a different outcome.
5
PGA tour members are an elite group with top tier players making many millions for playing a game they love. While under no obligation to be either generous with their employees or philanthropic with their earnings, as public figures and commercial spokespersons they ignore their “brand image” at their own risk.
I’m fond of Matt’s skill and his appearance as a sort of an “everyman.” So, I am disappointed that he needed to pressured into being generous. Hard to now consider generosity as a natural part of his character. That’s now a permanent part of his brand for me.
19
This article misses the biggest problem: that, somehow, supposedly intelligent humans think someone should get paid millions of dollars to play golf.
Or any sport. Or act. Or sing.
It's beyond sad that we continue to value what amounts to nothing more than distractions so highly. Meanwhile, we're reducing education, conservation, healthcare, and social programs at what should be considered alarming rates.
Value systems like this is how you end up with a Trump in office.
46
So very true. Our culture is very shallow and values things commercial. Golf, football, baseball, some musicians, some actors, etc - all business enterprises carefully honed to pay those involved millions and millions. For what?
And the people we should really worship and pay well are under the radar - many living check to check.
The first three years of a child's life are the most important - that is when they are formed. What do we pay day care workers? - the people that are molding our kids - literally determining the future of humanity - get paid peanuts.
And social workers, teachers, nurses, cops, firemen, local officials who volunteer....
Tom Brady, Kraft, Belicheck - all these guys should be donating at least half their riches to people who make a difference. They simply stage performances. They are good at it, for sure. But it's value is minimal.
17
@Jeff, PhD Thanks Jeff. Your points are profoundly true. What seems illusive, however, is identifying what efforts are likely to re-program our current "entertainment-obsessed" culture to truly understand and then start living out these truths.
9
@Jeff, PhD
You hit the nail on the head. RIGHT ON!!
6
I’m happy that Matt reconsidered. He finally did what was right. End of story.
2
@Jim Robinson He did better but he did not do right. He should have given him the $130,000 that would be typically paid. He wouldn't have had to change his level of high living whatsoever to do the right thing but would have made that man's life so much better.
22
@jcs The article states that it is unknown what additional amount was paid.
1
@jcs absolutely true. The $130,000 would not have impacted the golfer significantly but would have a greater impact on the caddy. The fact remains that he still cheated the caddy.
He started off ridiculously loss and then under pressure, gave him what amounts to LESS THAN HALF of what would normally be paid.
The golfer is a real loser in the game of life.
6
I don't know what to say.
I am a fan of Matt - and hard to believe he would do something intentionally.
And I endorse comments below about PGA tour caddies who commit for a whole year or even a life.
To me, this caddie got lucky and sure, he could have expected more.
But if expectations are the only thing to go by - we would all want to be Matt's day caddie when he wins.
The power of social media - that's what got this caddie bug bucks.
Hopefully, he puts it to good use.
5
No Karen. You’ve misstated how caddie pay is figured—when it’s a fill-in substitution caddie, rather than the player’s full-time caddy. The latter commits his entire year/time to the player, week after week, month after month. Matt picked up this local caddie on Tuesday before the Thursday opening round. They didn’t even discuss payout for a tourney win!
Should Matt’s pay-out been bumped up higher than a mere $1k more than agreed to? Yes, arguably. But you’ve described here a complete apples-oranges comparison between what full-time caddies get for a tour win versus what one-off fill-in local caddies get for a one time impromptu deal. This one-off replacement guy knows nothing of Matt’s game, how to advise him under pressure, what he needs from a caddie in the crunch. He plays a VERY limited role...and deserves limited pay commensurate with that limited role.
10
@Scott
Hey Scott! Kuchar won the tournament.
The caddie must have done something right.
6
@Scott
The caddie must have done something right. Kuchar won the tournament!
1
@Scottn
Mr. Ortiz may know nothing about Mr. Kuchar’s game but he damn sure knows the course and all it’s quirks which Kuchar does not. Besides, there is a question of honor on Kuchar’s part. Saying 5 grand was a lot of money to a guy like his caddie showed no honor or class. As far as your “limited pay” comment - the caddie didn’t ask for 10%, $130,000, he only asked for $50,000, Mr Ortiz showed that he has honor and class and hopefully Kuchar has learned something from this experience.
6
Why do people who don't know how the PGA Tour works feel the need to comment??
The NY Times has portrayed this event incorrectly.
If the caddie had asked for 10% ...Kuchar would have asked the next caddie in line.
If you win $10,000,00 in the lottery ...will you give the store clerk $1,000,000??
If the answer is no...you are a hypocrite.
10
@Peter
Vendors of lottery tickets receive compensation from the lottery commission. In the case of a 10 million dollar winner, the lottery commission pays the vendor $100,000. Might want to get your facts straight before you embark on name calling.
9
@Peter- First of all, anyone who has ever watch a game on TV, or played a round, or bought a golf ball have the right to comment. Ultimately, where do you think the prize money comes from?
Next, he did win the lottery. But the guy running it had bad judgement.
Kuchar could have paid Mr. Ortiz $100k or more and been a really good guy. Now that woulda been a story.
As far as going to the next caddie in line ..... Kuchar might have laughed and agreed because he might have thought winning the tournament was absurd and then if he had gone onto the next caddie, he might not have won.
They both won the lottery.
The most out of touch thing Kuchar said was comparing the $5000 to what Mr. Ortiz normally makes in a week.
6
@Peter These guys get paid VERY well to play a game for a living and they have a compensation system with the caddies. Kuchar was clearly greedy and there is no other way to slice it. Also, Kuchar's comments prior to his "change of heart" reveal that he does not appreciate how fortunate he is to live his life.
9
Rather than chanting "Kooch" "mooch" seems more appropriate.
25
@ro
To the caddy he hired, yes.
2
I certainly won’t buy Skechers again until they drop Kuchar. What an entitled, selfish person ... living the good life in St. Simons with zero empathy for the life this talented caddy lives in Mexico. I was raised in a country club community full of folks like Kuchar. As long as life is going great for them that is all they care about ... never caring or expressing interest in how the rest of the world lives. Happy to be removed from that as an adult. People are much more fun and interesting out here in the real world.
30
Gee - as you know California is the Sanctuary State, and lately I have been seeing many Hondurans in public places, clearly new, and the whole issue of : is there work and housing for everyone in California jumbles in my brain.
But then, I am reminded over and over, and by this article is again, informative of the fact in California and outside it, that Mexicans or Central Americans, with documentation, those without Documentation, are exploited by U.S. businesses. Some of those businesses of them run by people of Mexican descent and pretend to be their friends - just price gouge them.
Contract Law.
Wherever the contract took place, Mr. Giral Ortiz's business rights, will prevail.
He acted as an insubordinate to Kuchar, when really he might be a free agent or visa versa. His boss Kuchar doesn't want to give his "employee" a thing.
We all know that is wage theft is grotesque and truly shameful.
Shades of Paula Deen.
Matt Kuchar, wise up to the facts of life. You never cheat your right hand man.
4
For those of you asking, Bridgestone golf balls is one of his biggest endorsements.
14
I don't think Kuchar's "“For a guy who makes $200 a day, a $5,000 week is a really big week" comment is racist (probably), but it's certainly offensive. It would certainly be very offensive and condescending if said about a white American citizen who did the same job.
As somebody else already commented, this is like leaving a $1.50 tip for a $400 dinner. Even if you left $20 you'd still be a cheapskate.
26
Evidently Kuchar thought that this was going to go under the radar and he could save money just like the big corporations by hiring local and paying less. He rather got it wrong, didn’t he?
20
Where the heck was agent Steinberg? A great opportunity for Kuchnar to take advantage for future endorsement (the magnanimous Matt) by giving this local caddy the bonus he earned and deserved. Looks like like your business team was missing in action Mr. Kuchnar...
10
Ummmmm Isn't 10% of 1.3 million $130,000 DON'T ACCEPT A PENNY LESS. This is custom in your trade per all the experts which means you've earned it. Mr Kuchar isn't doing you any favors by paying you less.
4
$130k would be owed a full time committed caddy who brings a full time knowledge and expertise to the PGA player’s game. This replacement one-off guy brings NONE of that to the impromptu arrangement. The pay arrangements have NOTHING to do with each other. Should a bigger bump have gone his way when his Pro HAPPENED to win? Yes, arguably. But don’t conflate one with the other—they’re completely different and deserve differently scales.
14
Kuchar hadn't won a tourney in four years. He wins with this caddie. There is no doubt that the caddie's knowledge of a course about which Kuchar knew little to nothing helped him win. Regardless of whether Mr. Giral Ortiz was his regular caddie, he deserved to be compensated like he helped Kuchar win and like his regular caddie.
7
Yes and this caddy brought full time expertise about this course that even Kuchar’s regular caddy could not have brought
7
His elitist response sounded just like another obnoxious golfer, Trump.
25
What a cheapskate. He must be a golfing pal of another notorious cheapskate four flusher known for an elaborate comb over, lies, and orange tinting. Just sayin.
PS lost respect for Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus for golfing with same. Tiger, as a man of color, is especially egregious.
25
This is actually a tricky area. The guidelines are pretty clear when being a caddy on tour. When you're just a club caddy it's common for the Pro to make an arrangement like Kuchar speaks to. It's really only once in a while that a club caddy loops for a Pro, common in the Pro-ams, etc. Pretty uncommon in for a club caddy to be in the cut. You do have to be pretty legit to make it as a tour caddy. I think most tour guys wouldn't even want input from of a club caddy beside nuances to greens. Two very different jobs. Former Club Caddy, never a pro-jock.
7
wow! here go the NYT crowd with some wild analogies to President Trump, blah, blah, blah. Their desperation is palpable!
7
Actually, they’re just people who have moral standards that are being shredded by Trump and know that to cluelessly ignore indecency is irresponsible and deplorable.
3
@Mark- Yeah, but Nah. Just doing the same stuff other people do when you say, "Good morning," and they respond with, "her emails."
Most PR disasters happen when a company, or a person, chooses to focus on how they did the legal thing, rather than on doing the right thing.
38
@Jonathan Hutter, Best comment of all those submitted. Should have more recommendations.
5
@Jonathan Hutter- Thank you.
1
Matt Kuchar is still in his first couple hundred Groundhog Day repetitions. Give him some time. He hasn't even got to the start of the phase where he realizes there must be more to life than getting rich.
Seems so many people are stuck in those early stages.
Me? I'm at the stage where I am memorizing French poetry. Bear with me.
12
Perhaps Kuchar will lose some endorsement deals and thus a few million in future earnings. He deserves to be shamed every time he shows his face on the tour, until he corrects this wrong.
25
@Rick Munoz Shaming is a perfect response. The crowds should boo him throughout his playing.
8
Golf - The Haggis of Sports
11
Just so typical of an arrogant, entitled attitude.
Kuchar had never played this course before and he won. How does he assume that the caddy's knowledge and insight was not a critical component of the win? Greed takes over, once again.
I used to be a Kuchar fan but no longer. No longer a fan of Tiger, Nicklaus or anybody else who plays golf with or supports Trump.
42
@JLR
How could they caddie help him ??
No professional golfer would ever listen to a caddie he just met.
HE has no idea how far Matt hits a 7 iron ??
He has no idea how he hits his driver.
He has no idea how his shots come out of a sand bunker.
He doesn't know the speed and how Matt putts.
This is why a replacement caddie doesnt get 10% for a win.
7
@Peter
But he does know the golf course a lot better than his player since he works there every day. Regardless, a $1,000 tip on a $1.3mm payoff seems ridiculously cheap by any standard.
13
@Peter, perhaps you are right. 5% would have avoided labeling him as an Ugly American, however.
Kuch is welcome to do whatever he wants. And we are welcome to judge him how we want. In my opinion he moved from winner to huge loser.
65
The guy was entitled to whatever the agreement was, I don't follow golf I don't even know who this guy is but he's the one who won the money and it's his prerogative to dole it out as he sees fit this is barely news at all....
I get my bonus each year based on what my boss thinks I'm worth, some years I'm happy with it, others I'm not, what I don't do is run to the media and complain about it because no one cares....
9
@There'r You acknowledged you nothing about the game, you should've stopped there. My guess you're a chumpster.
I tip 20% at a restaurants and the waiter is not helping me win $1.23 million. So 10% doesn't seem bad. I hope that puts it in perspective for you.
Feed them cake.
12
Disgusting!
Who does he think he is? Trump?
And then to "justify" his actions! and proclaim his shock at the uproar.
Maya Angelou: "when someone shows you their true colors, believe them." I do.
52
@AJ
AJ, As always...he's not sorry, he's sorry he got caught. Remarkable tone deafness to let this get this far. He'll be living with this stain for a long time. With all of his endorsements he's probably making around $5MM a year. Stiffing a poor caddie with a $1,000 bonus is an outrage. Pure MAGA stuff.
4
I think this is the cheapest, greediest, lowest thing a pro golfer could do. Aren't they supposed to be so honorable with all their respect for the game? The history? The venerable way things are done?
Evidently this doesn't apply in Mexico. El Tucan can be grateful for whatever Kuchar deigns to bestow on him. Its stomach turning really. Where is the sanctimonious Jim Nantz in all this? Where is he going on and on and on about the glory of golf and golfers? No doubt at Augusta having drinks with all the other white men who hold golf to another higher standard of behavior.
29
shame on matt kuchar. just shame.
26
Interesting juxtaposition with the Amazon story - nothing surprising is there in the rich and powerful exploiting and fleecing others? Capitalism at its best . . .
17
@PS
Explain to me how a caddy who normally makes $200 per day just "earned" much more than that, besides being lucky enough to get paired with a pro that won.
2
Mr. Kuchar needs to make this right. I sincerely doubt if this is how he would want to be remembered.
16
It amazes me how cheap these extraordinarily fortunate people can be. If I had won that tournament, one of the biggest highlights would’ve been handing that caddie a check that would change his family’s future.
32
Matt, you can still salvage this situation. It was unfortunate and handled badly. Time for you to make a grand gesture - Public and Personal. Invite Mr. Ortiz to America for a round of golf at your course, then compensate him an amount that leaves him smiling. The nation has an enormous capacity to forgive. And this is what they will remember - you being kind and generous.
18
This is why we have President Trump.
Two people agree on a business transaction (this is how they make a living). Based on performance, the one party overpays the other by 25% as a thank you and offered more which was refused. Both are satisfied with the deal, and then others not involved decided to right something that isn't wrong. "He's cheap". "He took advantage".
If Matt Damon had agreed to carry Kuchar's bag for the same deal, would anyone care? That kind of hypersensitivity is what created President Donald Trump.
3
Then you can claim “hypersensitivity” for anything, Sandy Hook, etc. This is exactly how Trump got rich. Exploit wherever you can (EWYC). This is how it works...Make a deal. Set ambiguous terms, refuse to pay, tell lies defending the lawsuit, then ask, “why are you being ‘hypersensitive’”? I hope your life saving surgeon is not like this.
11
The most stunning aspect of this story is the fact anyone would think the poorer you are, the less you should be entitled to receive. So, if Ortiz had a higher weekly income, Kuchar would have thought about giving him a larger tip? Maybe Kuchar's wealth has given him some kind of immense blind spot.
42
Wounder how much he pays his house staff to clean his bathrooms in St. Simons Island? 10% of $129.60
7
Your Two Minutes of Hate, sponsored by the New York Times. I am going after all those guys I caddied for forty years ago- doubles for $10 and a hot dog - to get a chunk of their side bets.
4
@Rob
This is a new labor world. At least in California and in New York State, there are anti-wage theft laws. Those new laws (2012) make it a crime to deprive an employee, or a person with whom the golfer treats as an employee, of their entire set of wages.
I think there should be retroactive wage actions. But that is another matter.
1
@Rob If they had really won serious money on their side bets, they absolutely should have given you some extra. One thing that is never abided on the golf course - cheapness. Doesn't matter how "nice" you are.
2
The PGA Tour is full of rich,spoiled white kids who grew up at the finest private country club in their neighborhood. The club professionals taught them from an early age the many intricacies and strategies one needs to be a good golfer. Talk about privilege! On top of that most are rich,conservative republicans. That's why I don't watch the PGA anymore.
18
@Ed Mahala
But in California - Pebble Beach and the like, are all suffering from at the moment - the atmospheric rivers.
If the privileged don't move their privileged buttcuses to protect the earth from further ice melts, and torrential - heavy duty - "atmospheric rivers" AKA flooding, they won't have their pretty green lawn to hit a ball around.
4
Like he worked for Trump, except Trump would've stiffed him and then called ICE...
17
Kuchar had the opportunity to be a stand-up guy and do the decent thing but he declined. I can't be a fan of someone whose greed is bigger than their heart.
28
Greed all over this story.
14
Kuchar acted generously when talk of winning was hypothetical. But when he won he allowed greed to get the better of him.
For the $130K he stole from his caddie, Kuchar sold his own integrity.
Simple greed, an old story.
33
5% is a more common caddie fee for any old finish, but 10% is standard for a win. often, pros will pay ~8%, 7%, etc. for top 5 or 10 finishes. kuchar has won a few million in the past few months, just in prize money. dude's got a 'kushy' life. a proper payday for ortiz would CHANGE his life. kuchar makes way more than $5000 a day.
i used to caddie at augusta national, even looped for a few pros in my stint there (not during the tourney), and i played a large part in getting them around that course. knowing secrets of the greens is priceless; i saved everybody i ever caddied for multiple shots per round. that's the benefit of a local caddie.
i have met matt kuchar on more than one occasion. he always came across as nice and funny and extremely intelligent. i've always appreciated what kuch brought to the game & tour. but now, man? you lost me..
37
@kran r.
Be honest and tell us what pay agreement a PGA tour player would make with a replacement caddie at a minor tour event.
4
@Peter
what is legal and what is right are often not mutually exclusive. i understand the contract, and i don't take legitimacy away from that.
had kuch paid ortiz the 10% standard, a story would have been written about how it changed his life, and kuch would've still been a good guy and gone home with well over a mil. he simply had no good reason not to pony up.
17
@kran r.
I asked a specific question that would have clarified this issue & you refused to answer the question.
Therefore it is clear that a local replacement caddy doesn't get 10% of winnings.
2
I see this a little differently. most pro golfers use the same caddy all the time, so the 10% is not just for being there to caddy the particular game where the golfer wins, but for being part of the golfers team throughout the year and helping him to get the point of the big win.
Example, a coach gets offered a bonus if his team wins the Superbowl or a national championship. a few days before the big game, the coach gets sick. The assistant coach coaches the team on that day, and they win. how much of the bonus does the assistant coach get? All of it? Some of it? Who developed the team to get to the point of winning?
20
so you are ok with tipping .26%?
14
@Cantaloupe
A couple of things to remember:
1) Yes, a tour pro's regular caddie is with him or her all season long, but this means the caddie gets 10% every time the golfer makes the cut - even if they finish T67 and the winnings are $2,085
2) The caddie Kuchar used had local knowledge of the course that few, if any, tour caddies would have, given they only play the course once a year.
3) Golf is not a team sport. If the regular caddie is sick (to use your coaching example) and another caddie takes their place, the regular caddie does not get paid.
If Kooch had offered 5% instead of the usual 10% I would be okay with it. He didn't. He offered 1/4 of 1% and I find that unacceptable.
In my 50 years playing golf, I have always tipped caddies 20% (or more, on occasion) of what their fee is, whether they were my "regular" caddie at that course or not.
Matt got this one wrong, and his "explanations" make his parsimony even worse.
29
Except Kuchar hadn’t won a tournament in four years. Pay the caddie.
5
But, no, we have to hail Mr. Kuchar as a hero, patriot and job creator! That is why Matt paid "the prevailing local wage" just like Amazon and all of the other wonderful job creators we have in this country. He is just like our #1 Hero, Patriot and Job Creator Donald X Trump!
So the fact that Matt paid this guy so little, his net income will be higher and, guess what, through that simple mechanism is how our beloved president is making Mexico pay for the wall! MAGA!
33
Kuchar just treated Ortiz like most Americans treat Mexicans and other third world people. Exploit them to the hilt and argue that the law/contract is on your side. He should give over his winnings and keep 10% fee just for the utter awfulness of his behaviour.
70
It’s sad that a rich guy exploits poor people but that’s the American way. The United States has 4.8% of the population and 35% of the world wealth and they complain they want more.
9
I'm sorry to see that Kuchar is so cheap after having a big win. Still, that he's an American and Ortiz a Mexican doesn't make Kuchar a racist or an exploiter. Unless there's evidence to support your claim of exploitation, I'll settle for "skinflint."
6
I'm sorry to see that Kuchar is so cheap after having a big win. Still, that he's an American and Ortiz a Mexican doesn't make Ortiz a racist or an exploiter. Unless there's evidence to support your claim of exploitation, I'll settle for "skinflint."
Kuchar should be ashamed.
52
This will cost Mr. Kuchar more than $130000 if it hasn't already. Penny wise, pound foolish.
34
"Affable" and stupid. Let's see how much Matt's shortsightedness helps Skechers' sales growth in the 1st quarter.
28
The Trump Of Golf.
Sad.
42
Self entitled jerk.
32
So when is an agreement not an agreement. You hire a moving company to move you from point A to point B, you agree on a set price. Along the way you win the lottery and the moving company thinks they should share in your prize. You think they deserve it? I’m sorry, I don’t think they do. A verbal contract is a verbal contract. And I think that making this an "ugly American" thing is so much crap. All you folks saying it was because Ortiz is a Mexican national and Kuchar is racist, where is that coming from? Where is your proof? Did Kuchar use a local caddy in the US and pay him differently. Proof people, proof. What sanctimonious bile I see being written here. If Señor Ortiz wasn’t satisfied with the contract he could have just walked away and not carried the bag. And then he turned down a $15,000 bonus because it was insulting. Sorry folks, I’m not with you on this. And then I see comments about rich people being stingy. Well, I’m not rich, but I see the Gates', Warren Buffett, Michael Bloomberg, and many others giving billions of money to worthy causes. You want to spout your "facts", show me the empirical evidence. If not, carry your own bag and go home.
9
@Jacksonian Democrat
There is law, and there is the right thing to do. Not always the same.
Sure, there is no law that says you have to tip a waitress. So what? Doesn't make it right not to when they do right by you.
You know what there is also not? A law that prevents others booing your actions. If you don't like the flack, just be a decent next time.
16
.26% was what he received after the extra grand added on, .26%
4
@Jacksonian Democrat --- your analogy depends on the point that the moving company has nothing whatsoever to do with you winning the lottery. Not true of golfers and their caddies. (If caddies had nothing to do with golfers' success, then golfers wouldn't bother bringing the same one with them to every tournament --- they'd just use whoever was available in that town that week, and many golfers would opt to carry their own bags rather than pay someone to do it.)
6
This is nothing else but the story of a business deal gone bad, which happens every day in this world. The commenters who use this occasion to drag up politics, the divide between Mexico and the U.S., or even attack the Matt Kuchar's religion are way off topic. If Mr. Ortiz really thinks he was done wrong, he should get a lawyer, and sue. That's how disagreements like this are settled.
13
@David Godinez Yes I am sure Ortiz will have a fair chance at a legal dispute with a mega millionaire golf pro. Genius.
25
Really? I don’t think you can sue someone for undertipping. This is about human kindness and doing the right thing. Kuchar made $1.3 million. Custom says caddy gets 10%. $5,000 is disgraceful.
11
@David Godinez
This comment does not deserve to be a NYT Pick. The article is about right, wrong, ethics, sports, decency, not about the availability of the legal system to resolve disputes.
The gentleman misses the point completely.
18
An example of how you can be a winner at the game but a loser in life.
57
For a professional who has earned over $45M in his career - and, at 40, he has plenty of earning potential left -I don't understand why he would pay someone less that what is usual and customary. I liken it to the sweatshops in Malaysia where children (and adults) were/are paid pennies on the dollar compared to what those in the US would earn. It looks and feels like someone with vast riches further enriching himself at the expense of someone who could only dream of the life-changing results that the one-time 10% fee would afford him. People rightly raised their voices and shamed American companies that took advantage of poorer countries and people should do the same to Mr. Kuchar. For someone in his position to offer $5,000 and suggest that the recipient should be grateful is appalling.
41
Mr. Kuchar may have saved some money, but he lost his reputation.
58
Could someone please publicize a list of products that Kuchar is paid to endorse?
I'm guessing he could lose more than $130,000 in endorsements as those firms become aware that his persona may no longer engender good will.
39
This is very surprising. Most Georgia Tech grads are better people than this.
5
Legal, contractual, obligations are one thing, doing the right thing something else entirely.
How can he not see this? He should be ashamed of himself.
47
Caddies need a UNION.
14
This is not news except to feed the class warfare and white male oppressor narrative. If he missed the cut we never would have heard about this - they had an agreement I don't think Mr. Ortiz would have signed on if that contract was not to his liking. I'd be happy to loop for Matt Kuchar if he needs someone -
5
@RobvRight, but instead he wins a tourney with the key help of a local caddy that knows the course greens, wind direction, etc. The guy earned the 10%..
6
He always was a little effete and creepy. His good guy persona wears thin. I'll never forget him trampling over his opponents line before he had a chance to make his challenge putt in the Ryder tournament. He disgraced our country. Could have let that go for youthful enthusiasm, but this just seals the deal, the guy has issues.
17
Forgot to commend Ms. Crouse for her ever present intelligent eye for the detail in a story about professional golf.
Keep up the great work and who knows, that member list for Augusta might be slipped over the transom for you soon.
6
“How do you tip a caddie $1,000 when you’ve made $1.3 million?” Weiss said. “To me, I think that’s called discrimination.”
Discrimination? Seriously? Maybe tone deaf and insensitive very bad optics, but I'm sorry, the caddie wasn't discriminated against in any real way. Saying that totally diminishes people who are actually discriminated against.
Get real, guys.
6
Hope he knows how to read is own putts going forward.
5
Kuchar's taking advantage of a far less fortunate Mexican (assuming that he would/should be happy with whatever he got) deserves a special place in golf infamy.
I wouldn't be surprised if the reputational loss (over which Kutchar, showing no shame, claims he will lose no sleep) exceeds his winnings in this tournament.
Whatever that noise people make for him during his rounds is, it should be replaced with resounding boos from now on.
71
@Gerard C The proper chant should be “Mooch”
9
So many folks embracing the logical fallacy of Obama: "If you’ve got a business, you didn’t build that. Somebody else made that happen."
Success in life is not a lottery - you work hard - you develop a skill - and you experience some success.
Because you watched this happen from a distance does not entitle you to share in that success.
My recent fav is the broadway actors who want to share in the show's profits - mind you they don't want a stake in the show's losses - which typically occur at a rate of 5:1 more than the successes.
4
@SteveRR Actors have a stake, too. They bring their expertise and reputation. There is also an opportunity cost to participating in a theatre “experiment.” For example, Hamilton took months and months to develop. That’s months of one’s life invested in a project. When you think of investment, think also of opportunity cost, and what performers forfeit to take a gamble on a show.
14
@EML Frankly if performers don't like the odds, don't play.
1
@SteveRR. Fine, Kuchar gets to keep 90%, and the local guy that helped him win in a golf course he was not familiar with gets a well deserved 10%.
2
It's the serf or peasant that manages the game preserve
for the landed Baron or Emperor. The peasant receives for his services of raising the game and caring for the property, guiding the wealthy landowner, and then gifted for his family, the heart, the liver, lungs, and whatever remains for his soup for weeks. The landed Baron "harvests" and retains the bounty for lavish feasts and guest functions.
F3
12
Apparently Matt Kuchar is a member of the PGA Tour’s Bible study group.
I found a lot of bible quotes via the internet like this:
Leviticus 25:17 Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the LORD your God.
Kuchar needs to study a little harder.
67
@MChammer
I doubt if harder study is the answer. Hypocrisy and bigotry are an ingrained part of some of those Bible thumpers.
27
@MChammer. In today's world Bible study is not synonymous with righteousness, who is the Biblical Christian right favorite politician?
2
Hey Kuchar, how about something, you know, for the effort. There won't 10% but when he dies, on his deathbed, Mr. Ortiz will receive total consciousness. So he's got that going for him, which is nice.
10
No honor in Golf anymore. Sad.
18
@Mike No honor
Kuchar just stiffed a caddie the percentage all caddies
on the PGA Tour get.
Too bad Matt, you wanted some fame and identity.
This had all the makings of a Hollywood movie, down on his luck
golfer, wins an important tournament, with down on his luck
caddie, Win improves both lives.
Instead it’s turned into a horror film for the Kuchar!
45
My question: How did these rich men get across the southern border when it's so dangerous that it's a national emergency?? I know, huh? They are just that brave. eye roll
trump would totally support Kuchar, cuz he did pay some few dollars more than nothing, and the difference just makes him a smart businessman, amirite?
Another sneaky, terrorist brown person with the offensive name of Ortiz has been reminded of his place, yay! If he didn't know he was entitled to more money, it doesn't matter that he got the equivalent of a 1cent tip after a millionaire's party.
Even after everyone points out Kuchar's actual responsibility, he says "that's where I struggle". Instead of just doing the right thing, he'll head home, high five his fellow trump supporters, and spend his money on himself.
66
"For a guy who makes $200 a day, a $5,000 week is a really big week.” And we wonder why they call us "Ugly Americans". Last I checked $1.166 million is a really big week (Kuchar's winning net of the normal fee). This is the sort of causal cultural racism the degrades us all. Kuchar would not bat an eyelash paying the normal fee to a club caddie north of the border if he needed a fill in.
92
@Chris the message of “be grateful for the scraps you receive” is just disgusting. Yet, POC, women, other “non majorities” get that all the time.
Good for Mr Ortiz for bringing awareness to us all.
17
So you know for sure that Kuchar would have paid a substitute caddy in the US the normal 10% for winning. And you know this, how?
2
Kuchar, you're the kind of person I want to avoid. You should wear a sign- oh wait. Everyone knows now. Nice work. Think of it this way- you spent $5k to ruin your reputation. You could have spent $130,000 and maintained it. Cheap.
82
It seems the more we accumalate the stingier we get. And of course there are always the rationales to explain this. The poor share and the rich hoard. A 20% tip is expected at , most restaurants. I would think this would be true for a experienced caddy.
28
Kuchar probably doesn't win the tournament without the help of the local caddy, plus my guess is that the 130,000 10% fee would had been tax deductible. This is an example of how out of touch with reality some of these millionaires are. This incident will cost Kuchnar much more than 130k in the future.
102
Is anyone surprised by how stingy wealthy, high earning men can be? Paying no more than they absolutely have to? This is why we need to raise marginal tax rates on the highest earners. They will not willingly share their bonanzas.
126
Kuchar will not be getting any more endorsement deals because of this. It will cost him by what he doesn't get instead of what he could have given.
76
10% of the winnings is standard for full time caddies, who've typically worked with the golfer for years, know their games well, paid for their own travel to the event, and had to suffer with the golfer through dry winless spells for multiple tournaments.
I don't think Kuchar needed to pay a one time local caddie the standard 10%. A lower percentage would have been reasonable. Even 3% would have been $39,000.
$5000 is just offensive.
123
@Joe
There are 100 caddies at that club and many at nearby clubs who would jump at the chance to earn that type of money.
This applies to caddies at clubs in the US.
4
@Joe Mr. Ortiz may not have suffered with Kuchar in win-less spells or gotten to "know" the golfer for years but his talent is unmistakable and no doubt what got this win-less golfer over the hump and to the top that day. That alone is worthy of showing true appreciation for his work. Who ever liked a cheap-skate with millions in his pockets? No one.
13
@Peter
Apples and oranges, few of those caddies are working on PGA tours for tourney players.
7
I can only assume he is a racist trump man. As an avid fan of the PGA, I am aghast. I am afraid to say many of these pros are right wing anti taxers, remember Michelson's comments on California? I would like to see Trevino take Kuchar into the woodshed.
30
@James Do you know how much Mickelson contributes to charity? Do you know how much he pays his own long time caddy Bones? Do you know that California taxes him at the onerous level of 13% of his earnings? And how do you know that Kuchar is a racist or a Trump voter? Your comment is irresponsible, as well as being factually inaccurate.
5
@paul
Do you realize charities would have minuscule role in our society if all were paid a living wage and had universal healthcare?
25
@paul We don’t know and we don’t care. Golf is the most inefficient sport on Earth. Lots of arid land in housing-deprived areas that demand to be artificially watered allocated to the use of rich people is an offense to the planet and those without affordable housing. So cry me a river. When the golf courses in CA are emerald green in the midst of a drought, I say, “Tax them.”
6
Kuchar must be best buds with trump. Maybe looking for a second career as a hedge fund manager?
22
The golfer banked $45MM during his career and can't come up with a relatively measly $130k for this caddie? That amount of money would have zero-impact leaving the golfer's-hands, but would have life-changing impact for the better for the caddie.
The level of stinginess on display here is sickening. The caddy earned more than what he was paid and should not get screwed-over.
I hope the golfer will do the right thing. It can be as easy as 'upon further considerstion...' and allow it be a 'feel good story.'
92
"They're not bringing their best. They're bringing crime...and some, I assume, are good people."
Trump's America First golf credo in play. Make American Golfers Atrocious
36
Cheap is cheap. Kuchar should do the right thing and give Ortiz the 10%. The former will hardly miss it, and the latter will be ecstatic.
51
@Rhonda
The people that have commented do know what they are talking about !!!!
The top professional golfers will have personal caddies who caddies for them every time they play.
They are responsible for paying for their travel expenses and are professional caddies & act as psychologists.
The assist in club selection, keep yardage on shots, read the greens for putting and ensure that their mental focus remains positive.
These professional caddies will get bonuses for wins.
The caddie that Kuchar used was a local caddie at the course in Mexico.
He didn't provide the help that a professional caddie would.
He was paid really well to walk around a golf course with Kuchar.
This is standard practice.
A regular pro on the PGA tour would do the same at any PGA event. Use a local caddie and pay him a nice wage to walk around the course.
Why does the media not disclose the facts and want to make a big deal about this ????
10
@Peter
So Matt won the tournament all by himself, the local knowledge meant nothing? The Mexican caddy didn’t help with club selection even though he was extremely familiar with the course. My guess is kuchar would not have won if he had his regular caddy. If Matt was a decent person he would have written a cheque for minimum $100,000 and the publicity would have been worth a million, now it is the opposite.
75
@Peter Agreed; Ortiz must not have been very helpful, since Kuchar won his first title in 4 years. If only the media would report the facts!
39
Ah.. golf reveals itself once again to be exactly what it is. No wonder it's the sport of Trump.
73
Shame, shame double shame gringo. I live and play golf in MX 6 months a year. My caddies are very professional as it is their means to try to put food on the table, pay for their kid's educations,etc. Life is very difficult here. Mr. Kuchar has the opportunity to make an impact on a family that could go on for generations. I would like to think he is unaware of what a huge deal this is for his caddy. Come on Mr. Kuchar...be a man...do what is right.
243
This really is a case of "the ugly American golfer." Clearly, Kuchar took advantage of an unsophisticated caddie. No wonder people in other countries think Americans are jerks. Just go ahead and pay the guy, for Pete's sake.
107
Talk about building a wall between us and Mexico...
152
What would DT do?
6
What would Jack have done? Well, Jack was just out playing with Trump, who of course is infamous for his business dealings. So if Jack were to follow Trump's example my guess is he'd give the caddie ten bucks and tell him what an honor it was for the guy to be a caddie for such a great golfer.
24
@Rocky L. R. - It would interesting to find out. Jack tended to hire local caddies at the British Open. He won three of them and had high finishes in a bunch more, so the caddie would've been eligible for a nice payday.
1
Kuchar will now learn a much more expensive lesson than what he thought he was saving by chiseling this caddy.
80
whatever the details are or are not, 'ugly american' sums it up.
36
In the interests of international relations, and to give an undeserved Mulligan to that lunkhead golfer, I think I'll donate to the GoFundMe account.
16
Kuchar wraps himself in the Bible from head to toe, but given the chance to take care of someone far less fortunate that he and who provided him and obviously successful service, he stiffed him. The PGA tour is a Republican haven. I'm sure Kuchar and his MAGA hat-wearing friends loved sticking it to the Mexican.
103
@TerryB
So he is a "Christian" in the GOP sense of the word? That explains everything.
50
Gee, I wonder what another famous golfer—Trump—pays his caddie—McConnell? Perhaps the President really is a role model?
10
Golf is supposed to be a gentleman's sport. Kuchar should be ashamed.
36
Shameful. Bet Kuchar voted for you know who. He's certainly acting like him. Not sure if I want to watch golf any more.
23
Matt Kuchar is a very "small" human being.
33
Absolutely disgraceful. And thank you, NYT, for spreading the news about this story. Kuchar should be ashamed of himself.
60
The more money you have the more greedy you get. 130,000 would be a drop in a 45million dollar bucket. Kucher ought to be ashamed, and he ought to pay his caddie the full 10%, instead he’s trying to walk away. Lame.
43
Triple bogey Kuch!
22
It's getting to the point where the term "ugly American" is redundant.
23
What a creep. He should be booed at every swing.
35
Just pay up, Kooch.
18
What a nasty person. I can understand that not every agreement is a "typical" agreement but once you *win* the tournament and get a nearly $1.3M cheque, do the right/kind thing and give a real bonus. At the very least, it's worth avoiding the bad PR (if you can't be a kind, reasonable person).
And a caddie doesn't just carry the clubs. If you think that then you know nothing about what they do or anything about golf nor why they can make 10% of winnings.
35
You’re a small man Mr. Kuchar.
47
I have a hard time wrapping my head around this. In what world is it ok for a guy with tens of millions of dollars in the bank to gouge someone like this? Kuchar has a reputation for being a nice guy and a jokester, but this is no joke. He shafted his employee out of more than $100,000.
44
Wow...an American stiffing a Mexican. Unheard of.
26
Matt Kuchar looks like a complete jerk in this whole affair. If he were wise he would reconsider, give this caddy the $50K he asked for and put it behind him and out of media scrutiny.
33
@Bob Savage
If he was really wise, he would pay the caddie the traditional 10%. To stiff someone because they live in a third world country is beyond cheap. He certainly would never miss the $130,000.
33
I assume that Kuchar's a great guy like the commentators always point out during a game, but he's really screwed this up...apologize and pay the caddie the standard amount...otherwise you look like an entitled jerk...
23
What a cheapskate.
17
One cheapskate move will stain this golfer for the rest of his life.
"Who? The guy who cheaped-out on his caddie? Oh yeah, what ever happened to him?"
36
To paraphrase: For a guy who won $1.3m, $130,000 is a really small gesture of appreciation.
35
@soozzie - Kucher isn't alone -- Tiger is a notorious cheapskate, but I would've expected better from Kucher. Clearly that nice guy image is all PR.
1
There is no fairness between rich people and poor people. Only largesse and noblesse oblige.
The only problem comes when the rich person is carefully cultivating the image of a nice person, a man of the people, a regular guy -- and turns out not to be. For them, it's just a branding problem.
This PGA Tour "professional" is an amateur in this respect.
I can guarantee you the PGA Tour will include this in their indoctrination, since it makes them look bad and reduces their popularity.
And if $5,000 is the pinnacle of compensation for a week's work, it's a pretty sad occupation -- not to mention degrading.
27
Sad story... I've always liked "Kuch" for many reasons. If we all can focus a bit more on our responsibility to make the world a better place and a little less on the selfish acquisition of wealth, this story doesn't happen. Hopefully Mr. Kuchar can grow from this.
9
Yes, pay the Caddie a measly sum. Why don't we also stop paying teachers who make $40K but baseball players, foot ballplayers etc... millions. We don't need teachers because while you were in school you weren't making millions.
10
Golf. A beautiful game ruined by the type of people who play it.
18
@pjc
It may be a beautiful game but it's a tremendous waste of natural resources.
11
My wife and I could write a book about the “ugly American”. Each trip to Mexico would be another chapter in boorish behaviour in restaurants or stores. We were recently in a tequila store in San Jose de Cabo that had a tasting room to sample the product before purchasing . Ask for a taste, the pours were generous, and you could try whatever caught your eye. We had to leave when a loud group came in and started tasting on their own and ignoring the overwhelmed young lady minding the store. Their accent made it obvious they were Americans showing zero respect for the other customers and store owner. This behaviour is typical and we usually try to go somewhere off the beaten path to avoid the chance of confrontation as I cannot tolerate bullies .
43
@Dave - Spot-on, Dave. My wife and I just got back from a group tour in Spain and I was dumbfounded by the behavior of some of our group. We always try our best to respect that we're in someone else's "home." I actually saw some of our traveling companions complain to a waiter because they couldn't understand his accent. Yeeeeeesh.
3
It's just so sad when Kuchar, who knows exactly what is expected of him, takes advantage of Ortiz like he did. If it was his regular caddy, how much would he have tipped him? Imagine what $130K would mean to Ortiz' family and what $1.3 million less $130K means to Kuchar. Makes you wonder.
from a Google search -
"There was a time in 2012 that Matt Kuchar rose among the 10 most paid golfers in the world when he ranked 9th with earnings of $12.5 million. His present net worth has been estimated to be between $20 to $25 million."
24
Thank you NYT and Marc Graubart for giving Ortiz a voice.
Kuchar's response "for a guy who makes $200..." is really despicable.
It looks like he has a number of endorsements.. Perhaps they should petition to his endorsers and hopefully they will back out... No company would want to associate themselves with a such selfish character.
42
Admittedly, I know nothing about golf, and I do not know the value of given caddies, but $25K ( the other $20K offered later ) does not feel like stiffing the server. I do not like how Ortiz handled the situation by going to the media, and do not feel much empathy.
3
@Michael
Ortiz was ignorant of the standard golfing arrangements. Kuchar was not. Paying so grossly below the standard because of the caddies ignorance is reprehensible. Then to add insult to injury by saying he did the caddie a favor by giving him more than he could normally earn in a week shows a small man.
28
Until now, like most golfers and golf fans, I liked Kuchar, always smiling, ambling along, never quite the winner mostly but always in the money.
After this, well there is nothing to say except that he is a clueless, tone deaf bum. He owes Señor Ortiz $125,000 and he needs to pay it and pay it PRONTO.
And his dismissal of the man, saying the $5,000 he paid him was "a good week" for Señor Ortiz, is really tone deaf, racist -- just plain disgusting.
Pay the man his money Kuchar but for now and all I will be rooting for you to miss the cut because, clearly, you have missed the cut in life.
120
Matt Kuchar always seems to be smiling, kind, and unassuming. This behavior and selfishness belies a different core value system that differs from his persona. No longer a fan.
33
The top professional golfers will have personal caddies who caddies for them every time they play.
They are responsible for paying for their travel expenses and are professional caddies & act as psychologists.
The assist in club selection, keep yardage on shots, read the greens for putting and ensure that their mental focus remains positive.
These professional caddies will get bonuses for wins.
The caddie that Kuchar used was a local caddie at the course in Mexico.
He didn't provide the help that a professional caddie would.
He was paid really well to walk around a golf course with Kuchar.
This is standard practice.
A regular pro on the PGA tour would do the same at any PGA event. Use a local caddie and pay him a nice wage to walk around the course.
Why does the media not disclose the facts and want to make a big deal about this ????
2
@Peter
As a local caddie he had knowledge of the course his American caddie woudn’t. That is worth far, far more than the .26% Mr. Kuchar bequeathed his Mexican employee.
Does he think “Scrooge” is an instruction manual?
66
@Peter
Because in reality, people belong to one huge human family. We have empathy for one another, and lift our brother/sister up!
9
@Peter You are making Kuchar's argument about this caddie's value and fairness. Practically everyone else on this board (and tour pros quoted in various stories) are not buying it, and it is not the "media's" fault. Check the review by Golf Digest: They aren't buying it either. This is like leaving a $1.50 tip for a $400 dinner. Kuchar's reputation took a big hit and this will follow him, but he just doesn't get it. A professional athlete who is clueless about optics pays a price sooner or later.
18
Just pay him.
It is not even a rounding error for Mr. Kuchar.
It is not about what Mr. Ortiz "agreed" to.
Exploitation is just that, whatever contortions Mr. Kuchar may go through to claim that he is not legally obligated to pay any more.
I say again.
Just pay him.
41
According to PGA.com, Matt Kuchar made $1.72m in official earnings for the entire 2018. That's an average of about $33,000 per week. Using his own logic, for a guy who makes $33,000 a week $1.296 million is a really gigantic week. Don't be a jerk. Pay the man what he is due, respect.
40
Typical of today's "American" in my estimation. I bet he voted for trump.
11
How many of us can come up with a compound word that precisely describes what Matt Kuchar became when he rewarded his caddie?
16
I've seen a lot of hearts in my day, but Kuchar definitely has a hole in one.
25
Kuchar was cheap by any measure.
17
Matt Kuchar, #10 on the All-Time Money List Leader board at $46,627,590. IMHO winning for the first time in four years, Matt should have hired the caddie on the spot. He really missed a chance promoting professional golf as a team sport; pros need knowledgeable caddies, especially on a new course. Time for some remedial counseling for taking care of who supports a winning effort.
19
Did the knowledge of local conditions that the caddy gave to Kucher help Kucher win?
Knowledge about the grass, hidden traps, hole location?
If Kucher played without a caddie on someone merely carrying his bag would he have won?
Maybe the PGA should have a rule where caddies cannot talk to their players while on the course. Like tennis.
The bottom line is the caddy helped Kucher to win and he is a tightwad.
Of course the PGA will not allow a caddy union. Country clubs are the last bastion of corporate capitalism. Look at the logos on their golf shirts and bags.
21
@Michael, why does any of that matter? The customary tip is 10%. Period.
6
@Rhonda
Your comment misses everything.
Yes there is a custom. There is also no caddy union.
Kuchar benefited immensely from how the caddy helped him.
End of story
2
Cheap, cheap, cheap.
Typical American who thinks that he is above everybody.
He really took advantage of the caddie and who cares how much he makes in a day. Pay him the 10%.
11
Kuchar will now be known as the guy who stiffed his caddy. Not much different then ones who skulk out of restaurants to avoid tipping.
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@WhatIsNext
The ridicule he will receive until his playing days are over will be worth more than $100,000.
13
You'd have to think this has happened more than just this once -- and not just in Mexico but in others of the many foreign tournaments US golf pros attend. You'd also think there would be some accepted practice in these situations -- after all, everything in golf is based on "how it's always done." Maybe Kuchar was just following tradition. Would be nice if the Times could have shed more light on that -- rather than just replaying tweets or the general impressions of one or more unnamed golfers. Without a little more journalistic legwork, it's hard to tell whether he is really the bad guy here, or just another guy doing what other guys also do.
4
Does word get around in caddie circles? Because Matt Kuchar isn't done needing caddies but it would not be unfair for caddies to no longer agree to work for Matt Kuchar.
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I want to know more about this so-called 10% rule. I would like the see what both players and caddies say about the applicability of this rule. I doubt it is as universal as you all are saying.
10% is roughly what an agent gets for securing and negotiating a contract for an actor. The contribution of a caddie to a golfer does not strike me as anything near as Crucial.
If it were me, I would not feel good about giving 10% of what might be a big part of all
the money I will earn this year to a guy I did not meet until a few days ago and who had nothing to do with making me into the professional i am.
1
10% if the prospective golf wins the tournament has always been considered reasonable and customary. Here, this caddie was asking for less than 5% of the 1.3 million MK received. If he had his regular caddie with him he would be paying out $130K. I don’t see why he’s being so cheap, this caddie preformed the exact same task his regular caddie would have. MH should be happy he’s getting a 50% discount. If he doesn’t like the structure of what has always been, I guess he could carry his own bag.
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Mr. Kuchar had never played on this course (played tournament in 07 and 08, different site) in his life prior to showing up on the Monday before. His regular caddie may know the golfer, he doesn't know the layout.
Turns to a local looper who knows all the thousand little wrinkles that are in every well designed 18.
Mr. Kuchar hadn't won in four years and finishes first...at a place he had never set a tee in the ground! Happy? Overcome with elation? Buy the 19th a round?
Mr. Kuchar did not hit his head on the awning leading to the scorers shack as he went to turn in the winning card. He didn't suffer amnesia. He knew the protocol. He knew the numbers. Regardless of the 'deal' that he made before (lowball is too generous), does he recalculate?
No. Mr.Kuchar has shown himself in that moment.
To paraphrase Robert Caro's thesis on LBJ.
Success doesn't corrupt. Success reveals
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@P.C.Chapman - outstanding comment.
9
This is now a social media story and I believe Mr. Kuchar would be wise , to do the right thing. He should be appreciative of this mans help in getting a win, and reward him fairly.
45
Very Trump-like comment from Kuchar, who was previously known as one of the nicest guys on the Tour. Kuchar has over $45 million in career earnings, and often golfers of his ilk, i.e. Players tournament winner, Ryder Cupper, Olympic medalist, have made several times their winnings in endorsements. Yes, they also have a lot of expenses. His estimated net worth is over $20 million. What he offered the caddie is a fraction of 1%. Think of the people who could've been helped if he'd paid even half the going rate. I doubt I'll be rooting for him any time soon.
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@Carl
You'd think he would have been smart enough to realize the PR disaster potential of a petty, chiseling move like this.
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@Carl
And what about the $$$ from sponsors? How much does he get from Titleist to play their golf balls???? and to weather Footjoy shoes and play Ping clubs????
Gobs...so the $45 million is the tip of the iceberg.
18
@Carl
I believe Trump sent him a MAGA hat, upon reading this...
17
The caddie brought a lot of local knowledge of the course in Mexico to Matt Kuchar. I don't think the agreement shows that. That knowledge deserves a percentage of his winnings for the tournament. Maybe not at the regular percentage of his regular caddie, but a decent percentage especially if he was to finish in the top 20.
If the PGA tour travels to Mexico and has a splashy US tour level purse, it should treat someone who directly helped the winner better. If Matt was heckled in Phoenix, how will his reception be next year when he defends his title in Playa de Carmen ? Hopefully he will reconsider his stance and his agent's too.
75
"In a typical PGA Tour arrangement, a caddie gets a flat rate of $1,500 for the tournament, which helps cover expenses, and a bonus worth 10 percent of the golfer’s winnings."
Typical means typical, so I don't understand why other arrangements were made. If this Kuchar had lost, the caddie would have been paid based on the winnings - zip. I don't play golf, but I understand the caddie plays an important role beyond just carrying the clubs.
Maybe the caddie was unaware of "typical" and not had an opportunity to caddie for a PGA tour where the prizes are more lucrative. Like Gillis said - what would Jack and Arnie have done in the same situation - change a man's life.
After winning almost $1.3 mil, paying the caddie expenses and $5000 seems not worthy. Next time, Kuchar, carry your own clubs and learn the course yourself.
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@David
"In a typical PGA Tour arrangement, a caddie gets a flat rate of $1,500 for the tournament, which helps cover expenses, and a bonus worth 10 percent of the golfer’s winnings."
This only applies to a few select top players who have full time caddies.
The media is not being accurate.
3
He's the caddie. Where was he when Kuchar spent all that time and money while up and coming? No where. The feeling of entitlement is heading south along with jobs and manufacturing plants. I say pay him the prevailing wage and be done with it. Pay him what was agreed upon or the caddier should stay home. In the end, Kuchar is playing catchup with that windfall - taxes, past expenses, etc. - so Ortiz, whom has never worked with Kuchar before, should be happy with what he gets.
3
@david wright The prevailing wage is 10% of winnings.
7
@david wright....
Mr. Wright. The standard rate on all the pro golf tours in the US is 10% for the caddie of any purse. Standard. End of story. And the extraneous gasbaggery has nothing to do with this situation. And your last sentence (unintentional evidence of Mr. Ortiz' local knowledge) is why Mr. Kuchar won.
19
You probably like Milton Friedman and Trump, too!
And, Marie Antoinette!
Kuchar has utterly destroyed his own reputation as a decent man.
If you read the article, you'll see that he had shortchanged the caddy in the original agreement, then, renegotiated something vague, yet it included a % of his winning purse. Kuchar paid him next to nothing. He should have paid him the going rate for a PGA caddy.
Let's hope he does the right thing — apologizes and gives him the full amount due.
In the meantime, just because someone negotiates a contract doesn't mean that it is fair or acceptable or that someone, with more knowledge and power, wasn't taking advantage of someone else. The caddy knew the course and was key to Kuchar's winning. Paying him 10% of his winnings seems more than fair.
21
I'm not sure I understand the normal 10% but this seems extreme in the other direction and feels a lot like Kucher took advantage of a caddie who didn't know his way around the professional circuit.
177
@Charlie 10% of the golfer's winnings is the going rate for a professional caddie. Certainly, $5000, or about 0.4% of Kuchar's winnings, amounts to taking advantage of his caddie.
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