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Matt Kuchar and David “El Tucan” Ortiz held clear-the-air talk at last month’s WGC-Mexico Championship

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The Matt Kuchar-David Ortiz caddie pay dispute dating back to last year’s Mayakoba Classic came to an end last month, and according to a report from Golf.com, the two have since had a face-to-face meeting where both men apologized.

The controversy began after Kuchar had paid Ortiz just $5,000 for his part in the American’s victory at the 2018 Mayakoba Classic, and from there the story played out as a controversial soap opera, which culminated in Kuchar forking over an extra $45,000 in compensation after claiming he had “missed the boat with this one.”

Per Michael Bamberger’s report for Golf.com, the two men met each other in the clubhouse at the WGC-Mexico Championship and apologised to each other. Speaking on the 40-minute meeting where the two men buried the hatchet, Ortiz told Bamberger in a phone interview alongside an interpreter that

“Matt said, ‘Hey, David, how are you?’ I apologized for the (difficulty) the situation created. I told him it was never my intention to embarrass him, but I felt eventually I had to tell the truth. Matt also offered an apology. He said it was all a misunderstanding. He asked me how my family was. He showed me a picture of his family and a video of a hole-in-one made by one of his sons.”

Asked what it was like for him to see the additional $45,000 in his bank account, Ortiz’ translator said: “He is speechless.”

Matt Kuchar is in action at this week’s WGC Match Play. The 40-year-old is in Group 8 alongside Jon Rahm, J.B. Holmes and Si Woo Kim.

Gianni is the Managing Editor at GolfWRX. He can be contacted at [email protected]

16 Comments

16 Comments

  1. Stink Floyd

    Mar 28, 2019 at 10:47 am

    Kuchar PR Machine in full effect

  2. Dave r

    Mar 27, 2019 at 4:38 pm

    Give it rest already .Its over done and the media is still beating it to death. Find something else to talk about get tired of this article on every golfwrx since it happened. Oh by the way get rid of Zinger ,talk about boreing.

    • Stephen

      Mar 28, 2019 at 2:43 pm

      Go to another golf website, then. There’s so many to choose from.

      “Find something else to talk about get tired of this article on every golfwrx since it happened.”

      Did you write this sentence with a fucking crayon!?

  3. Dan

    Mar 27, 2019 at 4:25 pm

    I can’t stand Zinger as a commentator but he made a great point. He said “this guy isn’t a pro caddy, he doesn’t do the work a pro caddy does week in and week out, he doesn’t deserve 10%”. I’m not saying who’s right or wrong but it was a good point.

    • HP

      Mar 28, 2019 at 6:48 am

      He is right, and $50K is less than 5%. I hope Ortiz paid his income tax like rest of us.

  4. Deshaun

    Mar 27, 2019 at 3:31 pm

    Social Media Extortion at its finest
    &
    El Tuscan should donate the proceeds to fund the wall

    • Stephen

      Mar 28, 2019 at 2:38 pm

      Lol @ “extortion”. You’re a pussy if you think Kuchar was extorted. Don’t worry though, the twitter army won’t be coming after your money or the cash of other temporarily embarrassed millionaires.

  5. robert

    Mar 27, 2019 at 3:08 pm

    Someone should pick up El Tucan on Monday to caddie for the week, agree to a % of winnings, and then miss the cut. I bet he wont complain in the future about a guaranteed flat fee

    • JP

      Mar 27, 2019 at 8:15 pm

      Better yet, how about NOBODY ever use him again. Unless you’re willing to get beaten to death in the media for Nottingham giving in to demands that fall outside any prior agreement. Just force this guy into a new line of work.

      • Stephen

        Mar 28, 2019 at 2:32 pm

        Is Kuchar dead!? Lol. You’re pretty fired up there, guy.

        • JP

          Mar 28, 2019 at 7:01 pm

          Not fired up, just hate to see this kind of extortion. It’s sad when a pregame agreement is followed PLUS a generous bonus was given, and that’s when the social media BS starts. Fired up? How about you go read the previous story on this and count the number of times Kuchar was called names and put down for completing his end of the deal and still gave the guy $1,000 tip. Those people pounding Kuchar seemed “fired up”.

          • Stephen

            Mar 30, 2019 at 5:57 pm

            How is what Kuchar experienced extortion? Extortion is when you’re coerced into giving money and it’s a criminal offense. If you think a bunch of people calling a guy a cheapskate is extortion than you’re pretty soft. The decision to pay more was Kuchar’s alone. Kuchar is doing just fine.

            • JP

              Mar 30, 2019 at 6:59 pm

              MAGA!

              • Stephen

                Mar 30, 2019 at 9:16 pm

                LOL – that’s you’re response!? Your previous comments made everyone think you’re racist. Thanks for removing any doubt!

  6. cg

    Mar 27, 2019 at 11:43 am

    Yes, Matt Kuchar made a mistake. In fact, a shocking one. I had always been a fan, but this event changed how I felt about at him. However, he admitted his mistake and made things right. I like the fact that he personally met with the caddie, and gave him a more deserved compensation. “Kooch” is back on my list of favorites!

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Most birdies without breaking par – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is wondering how many birdies other players have had in a round while still failing to break par. @Lalan45, unfortunately, asked the question after a unique experience of their own.

They wrote:

“Today I managed 8 birdies but still shot even par, could have been a round to remember! What’s the most birdies you’ve made in a round and still didn’t break par?”

Our members in the forum shared their own experiences with successful rounds that still resulted in a score over par. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • kwcsports: “I’ve had 5 a few times, still shot 80+ haha.”
  • jda: “I played a course for the first time, had 8 birdies, 9 doubles and an eagle. The infamous no-par round. I kept the scorecard. Every shot had a creek that I did not know about, or I was within 8-10 feet for a birdie look. To this day, I have no idea if I should be really jacked up or mad about that performance.”
  • jvincent: “I think my record is either 5 or 6. Probably shot 75.”
  • Instron4204: “3 birdies and shot a 92…man I suck!”

Entire Thread: “Most Birdies Without Breaking Par.”

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Best current stock shaft 2026 – GolfWRXers discuss

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In our forums, one user is asking for thoughts on the best stock shafts offered in 2026. Stock shafts are the shafts included with a club when it’s purchased from retailers or OEMs.

@DTorres asked:

The last couple years has seen a lot of updates and additions to no upcharge stock shafts, which do you think is the best offering in 2026?

Im a bit of a shaft nerd and recently during my Members Testing with the Callaway Quantum Triple Diamond I found the updated Project X Denali Frost Black to be a fantastic stock shaft. I absolutely did not mesh well with the original Denali. Just curious what other people think are the current best Stock shaft offerings out with new models and stock Ventus options and LinQ options popping up here and there.

We were given the option for any stock shafts for our members review. I went with the 70g Black Frost 6.5 because it’s a shaft I don’t have, it’s an updated version of the original Denali and hear little about. I typically use a Diamana WB, GD VF or a HOF Raptor. I’m not saying it was neck and neck with any of those but it was a pleasant surprise I’m not accustomed to in stock shaft offerings.

Our members in the forum have been offering up their own thoughts on the best stock shafts available in 2026. Here are a few posts from the thread, but make sure to check out the entire discussion and have your say at the link below.

  • rsballer10: “IMO – MCA Ka’ili White Darkwave, Tensei 1k Black/white, UST Lin-Q White. People are free to spend their money however they see fit, but for me personally the shaft catalogs these days have enough options that I don’t see the value of a $400 upcharge. I have never had a problem finding a no upcharge shaft that fits the bend profile and weight that I need. Whether the paint job is good enough or not is above my pay scale.”
  • bcflyguy1: “Project X Titan Black. I’ve had one in 60TX in my Quantum TD Max for several weeks now. Have to give Titlieist their flowers for finding a way to make it available as a featured option; very shrewd bit of business and one that I suspect will be duplicated by the other companies. TT/PX have a certified banger on their hands with Titan.”
  • CTG77: “Undoubtedly, it’s the Tensei 1K RIP shafts from Titleist. The Tensei line gives about 98% of the performance of a Ventus VeloCore+ shaft at a tiny fraction of the cost if you’re looking for a blue or red profile. The white is not an exact match for Ventus Black, but it’s closer to it than the non-VeloCore+ Ventus shafts that come from Callaway or formerly came from TaylorMade.”

Entire Thread: “Best current stock shaft 2026.”

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GolfWRX’s Father’s Day Gift Guide (2026)

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A reminder from your friends at GolfWRX: Father’s Day is June 21. And as we do every year, we’re rounding up the best gifts for dad.

As we say every year, there’s no better golf-related Father’s Day gift than a round of golf with pops. Be it a country club or your favorite muni, take the time to get together to play 18 if you can.

Let’s get to the gifts.

Ghost Golf Qualifier Diamond Polo

We like the new polos that Ghost is offering, as the fabric and fit are so good. These new Qualifier Collection polos breathe well, are lightweight, stretch with your swing, and of course look great. You can wear them on the course, in the office, or just out at a casual event and they will fit right in.

Buy here.

STR8-Strip Grip Tape Remover

If your dad is an equipment aficionado and tinkers with his clubs, this tool works wonders. Removing grip tape has never been easier, just put a little head on the tape and the STR8-Strip peals it right off the shaft without any damage.

Buy here.

Why Golf: Putting Thing

When it comes to practice, it is good to have a purpose. This “Putting Thing” sure does it. We know from personal experience how challenging it can be and how rewarding it is on the practice green. This also provides some competition for your kiddo to see who will unload the dishwasher or do the next chore around the house.

Buy here.

OluKai Lae‘ahi Men’s Breathable Slip-On Shoes

Riding to and from the course in style and comfort is always a good thing. If you’re in a hurry, it’s a nice feature to slide into your shoes and get to the tee time. For the post-game shoe, at your locker or while putting your clubs away in the car. Nice to slide into a shoe that looks good anywhere. Pair that with meeting the family for dinner, no need to change!

Buy here.

Therabody Theragun Relief

A little wellness goes a long way. Keeping loose is a good way to go when it comes to the weekend game or treatment during the week. If there is a little ache or pain, the Theragun is there to help out. Help loosen up the back for a pre-game warm-up or cool-down. 

Buy here.

World Cup golf apparel

Something for the soccer dads. Embrace the World Cup fever this summer on the course with custom gear to support the nation of your choice.

Buy here.

FootJoy Pro SL spikeless golf shoes

Give the old man a break and save his feet with the Footjoy Pro SL Men’s Spikeless Golf Shoes for some added comfort on the course.

Buy here.

Bushnell Wingman 2 GPS speaker

Combine all the hits as well as some game improvement with the Wingman 2 Golf GPS Speaker by getting audible distance readings from 38,000+ courses worldwide through the Wingman 2 remote or speaker.

Buy here.

Personalized Titleist Pro V1 golf balls

The No. 1 ball in golf is a safe bet, and the Pro V1 fits the largest chunk of the bell curve if you don’t know what ball pops plays. Add personalization for a, well, personal touch!

Buy here.

 

  • GolfWRX may earn a commission for purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.

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