GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour will conclude on Monday after Matt Kuchar decided to leave his ball marked in the pine straw, 212 yards from the hole on the 18th. This decision, made due to fading light, means that Aaron Rai’s first PGA Tour victory remains technically unofficial, although Kuchar’s performance won’t affect the outcome.
Kuchar, who held the lead at 12 under after 36 holes and was playing in the last group, needed to win to maintain his status as the only player to have qualified for every FedEx Cup playoff since its inception in 2007. He finished at 11 under, placing him in a tie for 12th. Interestingly, while teeing off on the 18th, Kuchar inadvertently hit into the group ahead, which included Rai, who was leading the tournament. As darkness set in, Kuchar moved quickly to complete the round. Orlando Pope, a tour rules official, stated that instead of suspending play for darkness, the players were given the option to return on Monday, with only Kuchar choosing this option after hitting into trouble.
Kuchar commented on his decision, saying, “I was trying to set an example for Max. We were so far past where we should’ve stopped playing. I feel bad; the poor kid should’ve won this tournament.” He expressed concern that his decision could serve as a lesson for Rai regarding the pressure of important shots.
During the broadcast, Kuchar was heard discussing the situation with Tour rules official Ken Tackett. After Kuchar chose to wait until Monday, Rai made a birdie on the 18th hole, and another player, Greyserman, was just one shot back, raising the stakes for the finishing play.
Journalist Shelby Swanson reported that Kuchar’s interaction with Greyserman was informal, with Kuchar suggesting he would complete his round the next day without explicitly instructing Greyserman to delay his play.
Golf analysts Paige Mackenzie and Brandel Chamblee were critical of Kuchar’s decision. Mackenzie described Kuchar teeing off while the fairway was occupied as “egregious” and “disrespectful.” Chamblee found the incident at the 18th tee more surprising than Greyserman’s later quadruple bogey on hole 14, noting he had never seen such a scenario unfold on the course before.