Interesting Matt Kuchar Story

[AgronAlum]

After the story became public he did. Why?

Maybe I'm reading the article wrong but from what I see, Kuchar didn't offer the extra 15k, his agency did trying to do damage control. It was just ultimately coming out of Kuchar's pocket.


Kuchar seemed slightly embarrassed that the additional sum had been offered, as he felt his financial obligation to Ortiz was complete. Asked how it came to be that the additional sum was offered, Kuchar said, “That was the agency.” He was referring to Excel Sports Management, which represents him. Kuchar’s agent there is Mark Steinberg, who also represents Tiger Woods and Justin Rose.

Kuchar was asked who would actually pay the money.

Kuchar smiled and said, “It’s not coming out of Steinberg’s pocket.” In other words, Kuchar would be paying. He said the additional proffered payment was Steinberg’s effort at damage control.

 

[brokenloginagain]

100k is pocket change for kuchar compared to all of this horrible publicity.

who gives these guys such terrible advice.? oh wait, he and tiger have the same agent....

 

[Cyclone.TV]

Maybe I'm reading the article wrong but from what I see, Kuchar didn't offer the extra 15k, his agency did trying to do damage control. It was just ultimately coming out of Kuchar's pocket.


Kuchar seemed slightly embarrassed that the additional sum had been offered, as he felt his financial obligation to Ortiz was complete. Asked how it came to be that the additional sum was offered, Kuchar said, “That was the agency.” He was referring to Excel Sports Management, which represents him. Kuchar’s agent there is Mark Steinberg, who also represents Tiger Woods and Justin Rose.

Kuchar was asked who would actually pay the money.

Kuchar smiled and said, “It’s not coming out of Steinberg’s pocket.” In other words, Kuchar would be paying. He said the additional proffered payment was Steinberg’s effort at damage control.

Correct. I’m assuming they talked, agreed to a price to offer him and he then said no.

I would have said yes if I were that guy, though. Unless he really thinks Kuchar will be pressed enough to give him the full $50k. I kinda doubt it tho as he would have done that 3 weeks ago or whenever this came out.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

No one is entitled to any tip. That’s the issue. Tipping is one of the dumbest things in the world. I still do it at a restaurant and stuff because it is generally expected but I don’t have to.

If you go to a restaurant and pay for your food you should expect good service for the price they charge. Tips should be for someone who goes above and beyond good service. In the US that isn’t how it works but it should be.

Why do you do it if you don’t think you should? That doesn’t make any sense. Make a stand and stand up for what you believe.

 

[Urbandale2013]

Why do you do it if you don’t think you should? That doesn’t make any sense. Make a stand and stand up for what you believe.

I’m not going to punish a server who makes less than minimum wage for a legal issue I have. In this case we aren’t talking about a person barely making a living. We are taking about someone who just made $5,000 in a week.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

I’m not going to punish a server who makes less than minimum wage for a legal issue I have. In this case we aren’t talking about a person barely making a living. We are taking about someone who just made $5,000 in a week.

If you tip a dollar or two I’m sure that be enough to cover them up to min wage. So thatll get you closer to your goal.

 

[3TrueFans]

I’m not going to punish a server who makes less than minimum wage for a legal issue I have. In this case we aren’t talking about a person barely making a living. We are taking about someone who just made $5,000 in a week.

Point being Kuchar obviously knows as you do that it is customary to tip in certain scenarios, such as for a caddie in this case, and also what is a normal tip amount. If you tipped a waitress $.25 after you spent $50 they'd probably also be offended and you would be considered a **** unless there were extenuating circumstances.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

Point being Kuchar obviously knows as you do that it is customary to tip in certain scenarios, such as for a caddie in this case, and also what is a normal tip amount. If you tipped a waitress $.25 after you spent $50 they'd probably also be offended and you would be considered a **** unless there were extenuating circumstances.

I’ll bet you don’t even tip a dollar a beer ya cheapskate.

 

[dosry5]

Why do you do it if you don’t think you should? That doesn’t make any sense. Make a stand and stand up for what you believe.

Well for one, just like with the Kuchar thing, the social media justice mob can be a very real and very bad thing.....we’ve devolved as a society into people who can’t have conversations with people we disagree with. It’s easier to flame on social media and live in an echo chamber.

 

[Cyclone.TV]

Well for one, just like with the Kuchar thing, the social media justice mob can be a very real and very bad thing.....we’ve devolved as a society into people who can’t have concert with people we disagree with. It’s easier to flame on social media and live in an echo chamber.

There’s obviously people who don’t think Kuchar was wrong and there are people who think he was wrong - and for the most part that is going to polarize people no matter what.

 

[cyfan92]

Kuchar looks bad... If I'm his PR person, he write a $50K check to Caddy for a Cure and let the news cycle run it's course.

 

[Tre4ISU]

It's only a story because people like you guys are trying to make it one. It's laughable that people who have no idea how something like this works are trying to make a good guy look bad. This sort of thing happens way more than you think. Using a "rental" caddie is common practice and generally they are happy just looping for a pro. This guy is a grade-a douche looking for his 15 min of fame.

I get that Kuchar treated you well but behind the scenes everyone doesn't think he's what the perception is.

I don't really care. If they had an agreement, they had an agreement and he fulfilled that plus he came back with more. Where Tucan really loses me is where he declines the money. Personally, I think Kuchar made a poor decision not to juice the pot once he had won. I just can't imagine not giving him at 30K right away no matter the agreement. The difference between a top 10 and winning is a boat load of money. I also think someone is is Ortiz's ear and it really wasn't handled well.

I don't think this is a total indictment of Kuchar's overall character but it's not the first time people have cocked an eyebrow at his reputation. The ice cream story was probably even worse if it's true but it's too weird to make up.

 

[Tre4ISU]

100k is pocket change for kuchar compared to all of this horrible publicity.

who gives these guys such terrible advice.? oh wait, he and tiger have the same agent....

I'm not sure how Steinberg is still with Tiger, but I also don't see how you ever pull damage control on his issues. He kept them at bay for a long time.

 

[bosco]

Pretty much sums up Kucher and most people who come from money. They are out of touch with how people deal with real world issues.

 

[JP4CY]

Pretty much sums up Kucher and most people who come from money. They are out of touch with how people deal with real world issues.

That’s a pretty broad brush stroke you’re painting.

 

[Ficklone02]

I don't get how people are misunderstanding this story. The issue isn't with the rate he was paid, the $3,000 or $4,000 for the week was obviously accepted by the caddie and Kuchar. The issue is that after Kuchar won $1.3 million he tipped the caddie $1,000 which is an insulting amount given the circumstances and then justified it by saying it was ok because the guy doesn't make much money anyways.

Yeah I think he really botched it for himself by talking about how little the guy is accustomed to making. If he'd just stick to the statement that it was clear the agreement up front and not said anything more he would most likely be fine.

 

[LindenCy]

I think 5% would be fair. He was probably putting in about half the time/effort that the normal caddie would put in.

Your regular caddie has inside-out knowledge of your game that is much more valuable, so I don't think paying the other caddy a lot is really necessary. That said, you should give him more because he does know the course which is a huge upside. Not sure what would be fair. A deal is a deal, but he could have offered some cash to come out looking good.

 

[CyForPresident]

Kuchar getting heckled this morning at Riviera is hilarious

 

[flycy]

I can't fathom why caddies get 10% anyway.

Who do they think they are, real estate agents?

 

[mywayorcyway]

The caddie DEFINITELY didn't deserve 10%, or 5%, or anything more than was agreed to. He carried the bag, which is something anyone in the parking lot could have done.

Regular tour caddies who have been through the trenches don't earn 10% the week their player wins, they've earned it over months and years, most likely with some very thin money times along the way and a high likelihood of never seeing a big payday.

Gillis made this a story by sticking his nose in where it didn't belong (again), and the caddie made it a bigger story by thinking he was owed more after the win when people got in his ear.

Kuchar didn't owe him anything more than the original agreement.