Rio Olympics: Matt Kuchar just learned golf isn’t a team event

Matt Kuchar, who will represent the United States at the upcoming Summer Games in Rio, just recently found out that his sport of choice, golf, won’t be a team event.

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There are many Americans who love watching and playing the sport of golf. The sport makes its big return to the Summer Games this year, but will not be played how some expect the format to go. That includes current pro golfer, Matt Kuchar.

Kuchar will be one of the four Americans participating in Olympics golf for the U.S. this summer. Just recently, he learned of the fact he’ll be playing the game on his own for a shot at a medal rather than in team format. Knowing the format could certainly help his chances at winning the event.

On Wednesday at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, Kuchar was asked by the media if he’d be rooting for his fellow American golfers in Rio. According to GolfDigest, Kuchar went on to seem puzzled by it, responding, “You may have to help me. Is there no team format at all?”

The media nearby Kuchar didn’t know whether he was pulling their legs or simply didn’t know the format. He continued talking about his understanding of how he thought it was supposed to work. He later learned how it would work from an ESPN reporter telling him “If Bubba wins you don’t get a medal.”

Kuchar mentioned that he had thought the format worked differently with Bubba Watson and Rickie Fowler’s scores being combined as a team since they were the two highest-seeded Americans. However, that’s not the case, and Kuchar may very well be the one walking away with gold on his own.

While one might laugh at Kuchar’s naivety in just recently finding out how the event will work, it’s also excusable. He’s been busy on the PGA tour and in addition to that, golf is making its big return to the Summer Games after more than a century’s absence!

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