Current:Home > NewsMatt Kuchar bizarrely stops playing on 72nd hole of Wyndham Championship -Zenith Profit Hub
Matt Kuchar bizarrely stops playing on 72nd hole of Wyndham Championship
View
Date:2025-04-16 16:40:58
Aaron Rai won his first PGA Tour title on Sunday, claiming a two-stroke win at the Wyndham Championship.
But the tournament didn't officially end as darkness fell on Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, North Carolina.
That's because Matt Kuchar bizarrely stopped playing after hitting his tee shot on the 18th hole, opting to mark his ball in the pine straw 212 yards from the hole and walk the course with the other players in the last group as they completed their rounds.
"It has been a really bizarre sequence of events," said CBS Sports analyst Trevor Immelman as the network's broadcast came to a close.
Kuchar led the tournament after 36 holes, but was out of contention at 11-under when he stepped to the 18th tee to conclude a marathon, 36-hole day stemming from weather delays due to Tropical Storm Debby.
With the sun already set and visibility declining, tournament officials informed Kuchar, Chad Ramey and Max Greyserman that rather than blow the horn to suspend play, they would be allowed to finish the hole then or complete it the next day.
In an apparent attempt to finish quickly, Kuchar unknowingly hit into the group ahead of him, one that included Rai – who led Greyserman by one stroke at the time.
"Why did he tee off on 18 when the fairway wasn’t clear? To me that was the egregious error," Golf Channel’s Paige Mackenzie later said. "It was completely disrespectful."
After Kuchar's ball landed left of the fairway, he informed officials he would finish his round Monday morning – even though he had no chance of advancing to the PGA Tour's playoffs. As things turned out, Rai birdied the final hole to push his lead to two strokes and Greyserman closed with a par to finish second.
As the sun rose again on Monday, Kuchar was the only player back out on the course to make the results official.
He hit his second shot on the green and parred the hole to finish in a tie for 12th, earning him $134,695.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (317)
Related
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Moving on: Behind Nathan Eovaldi gem, Rangers sweep Orioles to reach first ALCS since 2011
- Utah lawsuit says TikTok intentionally lures children into addictive, harmful behavior
- Israel bombs Gaza for fourth day as Hamas, Palestinian civilians, wait for next phase in war
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Vermont police release sketch of a person of interest in the killing of a retired college dean
- Ariana Madix Emotionally Reacts to Sign From Her Late Dad After DWTS Tribute Performance
- Dillon Brooks ejected from first preseason game with Rockets after hitting opponent in groin
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Former offensive lineman Mark Schlereth scorches Jerry Jeudy, Denver for 1-4 start
Ranking
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Kelly Ripa Breaks Promise to Daughter Lola Consuelos By Calling Her Out On Live
- DJ Moore is first Bears wide receiver since 1999 to win NFC Offensive Player of the Week
- Russian authorities seek to fine a human rights advocate for criticizing the war in Ukraine
- Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
- 2023 Fat Bear Week has crowned its winner – a queen that's thicker than a bowl of oatmeal
- Australia in talks with Indonesia about a possible challenge to Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup
- RHOSLC's Heather Gay Responds to Mary Cosby's Body-Shaming Comments
Recommendation
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Who is Mary Lou Retton? Everything to know about the American gymnastics icon
Australia in talks with Indonesia about a possible challenge to Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup
Vermont police release sketch of a person of interest in the killing of a retired college dean
Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
Mary Lou Retton's Daughter Shares Health Update Amid Olympian's Battle With Rare Form of Pneumonia
‘Turtleboy’ blogger accused of witness intimidation is due in court in Massachusetts
NASA launching Psyche mission to explore metallic asteroid: How to watch the cosmic quest