"I could not imagine" - European star Eddie Pepperell takes a jibe at Matt Kuchar for his late finish at Wyndham Championship
European star golfer Eddie Pepperell recently commented on Matt Kuchar's controversial decision to finish the 2024 Wyndham Championship on Monday. Kuchar had teed off on the 18th hole and when officials asked his group including Max Greyserman and Chad Ramey whether to continue or return the next day, Kuchar opted for a solo Monday finish.
Ramey and Greyserman completed their rounds on Sunday, August 11.
Kuchar's decision to have a solo Monday finish quickly became a topic of discussion, with opinions divided. Some supported him while others criticized his choice. Pepperell addressed the situation on an episode of "The Chipping Forecast."
"I could not imagine, and I'm not saying there is a right or wrong way to be in life, but I just could not imagine myself doing that," he said. "I would want to get off as quick as anyone. He wasn't having a great day, he's having a bad day, he's hit a bad tee shot. I would want to get out of there and I think most golfers would want to get out of there.
"That being said, and I suspect there are other golfers and I'm going to say someone like Padraig Harrington. Now I don't know if he's ever done anything like this but it wouldn't surprise me if someone like a Padraig was to do something like this."
Meanwhile, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan defended Matt Kuchar at the press conference for the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship and said:
"Matt Kuchar had every right to do exactly what he did. There are so many unique circumstances that come up on the PGA TOUR, and that was one of them."
Kuchar resumed play on August 12, completing the final hole with a par and finishing T12.
Matt Kuchar issues an apology for his controversial decision at the Wyndham Championship
Matt Kuchar has issued an apology for his decision to return and play the final hole of the 2024 Wyndham Championship alone on Monday, August 12. He had taken his first shot on the 18th hole, a par-4, on Sunday and returned the next day to complete the hole, making par.
Reflecting on his decision, Kuchar said (via Tennis World USA):
"No one would have wanted to be in my place, to be the one who is the only one not to finish the tournament. But last night, the darkness was there. What I wanted was to avoid a double bogey. I hope that did not cause too many problems. I know the ramifications of my decision, the consequences. So, I want to apologize.”
The 2024 Wyndham Championship was significantly impacted by weather last week. The tournament experienced a delayed start on Friday, August 9 and the first round was postponed to Saturday.
The second round concluded on Sunday morning after which players competed in the third and fourth rounds. Despite that, Aaron Rai secured victory at the tournament by the end of the Sunday.