Kuchar apologizes for caddie payment controversy, says he's paid full $50K

Matt Kuchar issued an apology Friday for the controversy surrounding his payment to fill-in caddie David Ortiz.

"I made comments that were out of touch and insensitive, making a bad situation worse," Kuchar said in a statement after his opening round at the Genesis Open. "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."

Kuchar admitted Wednesday that he paid Ortiz $5,000 after earning nearly $1.3 million for his Mayakoba Golf Classic win in Mexico. He defended his actions by saying: "For a guy who makes $200 a day, a $5,000 week is a really big week."

The 40-year-old insists he has since paid Ortiz's demands in a bid to make things right.

"I let myself, my family, my partners and those closest to me down, but I also let David down," Kuchar added on Friday. "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 felt his services were worth $50,000 and turned down an additional $15,000 that Kuchar's agent Mark Steinberg offered as damage control.

"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," he concluded.

Kuchar also plans to donate money back to the Mayakoba Golf Classic for philanthropic causes in the Playa del Carmen and Cancun communities.