What Exactly Was Matt Kuchar Playing At

England's Aaron Rai enjoyed a winning breakthrough on the PGA Tour when he clinched his maiden title on the American circuit at the Wyndham Championship. 

The 29-year-old has won on the PGA EuroPro, Challenge Tour, and DP World Tour, but this is a significant step on the ladder and he sits in 25th place in the FedEx Cup Standings ahead of the first playoff event this week. 

However, for many watching, it'll be the bizarre scene of Matt Kuchar electing not to complete his round after hitting his tee shot on the 18th that is most remembered.

The event had been desperately trying to catch up following the impact of Tropical Storm Debby, meaning that the halfway cut wasn't made until Sunday morning and that both the third and fourth rounds would be completed that day.

And they almost were - had it not been for Kuchar.

The most bizarre 18th hole of Matt Kuchar's career? ???? pic.twitter.com/S19gmkQRgd

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) August 12, 2024

Playing in the final group with Max Greyserman and Chad Ramey, the 46-year-old was not in contention and could not progress to the playoffs (the first time he's missed them since their introduction back in 2007), but with darkness approaching, Kuchar hit his tee shot on the last with the penultimate group (including Rai) still on the fairway.

The players were then given the option to either complete their rounds or return in the morning. Both Ramey and Greyserman (who had thrown away a commanding lead on the back-nine) decided to finish, with only Kuchar, who needed a par to finish in a 10-way tie for 12th, making his way back to Sedgefield Country Club on Monday for an 8am restart, requiring the attendance of officials and staff.

Six minutes after play resumed, Kuchar, the sole player on the course (and probably even the city), made his par and ended his 2024 regular season.

Watching late on Sunday, CBS commentators Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman were perplexed at what they were witnessing.

Immelman, the Masters champion of 2008, concluded that "it has been a really bizarre sequence of events", while iconic announcer, Nantz, joked: "I don’t expect we’re going to be bringing you that coverage tomorrow" regarding Kuchar's delayed finish.

Speaking to Golf Channel's Todd Lewis on Sunday evening, Kuchar explained: "I was trying to set an example for Max.

"We were so far past when we should've stopped playing. We saw what Max did on hole 16 (four-putting for a double bogey) - they should've blown the horn there.

"I feel bad, the poor kid should've won this tournament. By me not playing, it may show Max he has an important shot to hit."

However, after finishing his round on Monday morning, Kuchar apologised to those gathered for making everyone return.

Kuchar is a professional golfer, and there were both money and potentially crucial points at stake as he attempts to secure his full card for the 2025 season, but many observers will wonder whether this whole spectacle was really necessary.