Matt Kuchar issues apology to caddie and says he will now be paid $50,000 after row emerged over pay

Matt Kuchar has apologised in a lengthy statement and has said he will pay temporary caddie David Ortiz $50,000 after winning the Mayakoba Golf Classic in November. 

World No 22 Kuchar collected a cheque for $1.3million but Ortiz received just $5,000 for helping the American to the title – a move Kuchar was widely criticised for.

Regular caddies usually take 10 per cent of winnings but temporary caddies such as Ortiz, nicknamed ‘El Tucan’, see fees vary at the start of the week depending on their arrangement with the player.  

Matt Kuchar has apologised to local caddie David Ortiz after a pay row between the pair following the American’s $1.3million win at the Mayakoba Golf Classic last November

Kuchar has gone back on comments this week and confirmed he will pay Ortiz $50,000

In response to the story going public Kuchar said he would ‘not be losing sleep’ over the payment row, but has now looked to accept his error as he confirms Ortiz will be given a fair fee. 

In a lengthy statement, Kuchar wrote: ‘This week, I made comments that were out of touch and insensitive, making a bad situation worse. 

‘They made it seem like I was marginalizing David Ortiz and his financial situation, which was not my intention. 

‘I read them again and cringed. That is not who I am and not what I want to represent. My entire Tour career, I have tried to show respect and positivity. 

In a statement, Kuchar said he ‘cringed’ at his comments and he plans to call Ortiz to apologise

‘In this situation, I have not lived up to those values or to the expectations I’ve set for myself. I let myself, my family, my partners and those close to me down, but I also let David down. 

‘I plan to call David tonight, something that is long overdue, to apologize for the situation he has been put in, and I have made sure he has received the full total that he has requested.’

Ortiz, 40 is known as El Tucan (The Toucan) and is local to the luxury Mayakoba resort, near Cancun. He lives in a small house and had hoped to use his prize money to start a laundrette with his wife, according to golf.com, who also report that he spent his payment on painting his house, new curtains, a mirror and flying his daughter home for Christmas.

Ortiz claimed that Kuchar promised him a flat fee of $3,000, plus an unspecified winnings bonus. 

Speaking at the Genesis Open in California, Kuchar revealed he is planning to make a donation

He also claimed that, after the tournament, Kuchar handed him an envelope with $5,000 in cash, made up of $100, $50, $10 and $5 bills. 

The four-time Ryder Cup player, who is ranked 22 in the world and has earned over $46m in prize money during his career, had said earlier in the week that Ortiz should consider earning $5,000 ‘a great week’. 

Ortiz, nicknamed ‘El Tucan’, was planning to use the money to open a launderette

But in a bid to ease ongoing criticisms from inside the world of golf, Kuchar, speaking after his round at the Genesis Open, has revealed he will be making a donation to the Mexico event in a bid top help fund projects in nearby communities.  

‘I never wanted to bring any negativity to the Mayakoba Golf Classic,’ the statement continued. 

‘I feel it is my duty to represent the tournament well, so I am making a donation back to the event, to be distributed to the many philanthropic causes working to positively impact the communities of Playa del Carmen and Cancún.

‘For my fans, as well as fans of the game, I want to apologize to you for not representing the values instilled in this incredible sport. 

‘Golf is a game where we call penalties on ourselves. I should have done that long ago and not let this situation escalate.’