Matt Kuchar’s caddie responds to criticism of Wyndham antics

Matt Kuchar’s caddie has claimed his controversial decision to return and finish his Wyndham Championship on Monday morning was “worth the wait.” 

Bizarrely, Kuchar was the only player not to finish his 72nd hole as darkness descended on the final regular PGA Tour event of the season on Sunday night.

While his playing partners Max Greyserman and Chad Ramey both finished up on the par-4 18th at Sedgefield Country Club, Kuchar decided to mark his ball in the left rough and come back and hit his approach the next day instead.

That decision drew derision on social media, with Kuchar already out of contention for the tournament, as well as the race for the forthcoming FedEx Cup playoffs.

The nine-time PGA Tour winner later apologised to the tournament officials who had to return to the course with him early on Monday morning, but is still adamant he wouldn’t have done anything differently.

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When he did return, Kuchar was able to get TIO (Temporary Immovable Object) relief because his line of sight was blocked by a scoreboard.

The 46-year-old was able to move his ball from the left rough to the adjacent fairway, allowing for a much clearer shot at the green. From there, Kuchar made par, securing a T12 finish and a cheque for $144,965. Crucially, he also moved up ten places to No.103 in the FedEx Cup standings, with the top 125 after the PGA Tour’s Fall Season keeping their cards for 2025.

Kuchar’s caddie Brian Reed has since given his own version of events, responding to commentator Trevor Immelman’s assertion on social media that it was eventually a “great par” after the veteran’s errant drive up 18.

“It was! Worth the wait,” Reed replied on X.

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Reed suggested getting line-of-sight relief would not have been possible in the dying light, while Kuchar was also not aware that Aaron Rai had made birdie in the group ahead to seal victory.

“If we finished…..You would have been back to call Monday morning. We would have needed an official and that would have taken at least five minutes we did not have,” he wrote. “Figured Max was going to stop. Did not know Rai made birdie.”

Kuchar also explained his rationale to a smattering of reporters on Monday.

“All I was thinking was let’s try to avoid double this morning,” he said. To come out and have, you know, the ability to take a drop, to get relief is a bonus.

“I just hope it doesn’t cause too many problems. I was excited that at least they got Aaron Rai got to finish, got to do the awards ceremony. I think that would have really stunk had Aaron not cemented the win and been able to do the trophy ceremony and all that goes with it.”

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.