Golf Influencer Apologizes to Dave Portnoy for Controversial Barstool Event Act
In a recent incident at the Barstool Sports Internet Invitational, golf influencer Luke Kwon faced criticism for missing his scheduled tee time. The event, held at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri, featured various personalities, including Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports. Kwon was supposed to tee off at 9:30 AM but failed to arrive on time.
Luke Kwon’s Apology and Consequences
After missing his 9:30 AM tee time, Kwon took to Instagram to express his regret. He sarcastically stated, “Just woke up what’d I miss” before acknowledging the error. Kwon admitted it was a mistake, stating, “S— happened and I am genuinely sorry.” He has since apologized to Portnoy and others off-camera.
As a result of his tardiness, Kwon received a penalty of four holes from Portnoy. He was allowed to join the game starting from the fifth hole of the nine-hole event.
Teammate Reactions
Kwon’s partner at the event, PMT, commented on the situation. They were down four holes when Kwon arrived. PMT defended his desire to focus on their game instead of confronting Kwon, although he felt Kwon was unsupportive during their competition.
Reactions from the Golf Community
Golf personalities and athletes reacted to Kwon’s absence. Notably, Hailey Rae Ostrom commented that being late would typically result in disqualification in other tournaments. Golf legend Bubba Watson humorously asked, “Who is @luke.kwon?”
In professional golf, being late for a tee time often leads to strict penalties. For instance, David Lipsky received a two-stroke penalty for arriving late but within the grace period at the 2019 PGA Championship. Conversely, Jim Furyk was disqualified at the 2010 Barclays Pro-Am for oversleeping.
Event Highlights and Participants
The Internet Invitational included 48 YouTube golfers and creators, showcasing a blend of competition and entertainment. Among the notable participants were:
- Paige Spiranac: Former pro golfer and influential figure in the golf community.
- Wesley Bryan: PGA Tour golfer currently under suspension.
- Garrett Clark: Co-founder of the popular YouTube channel Good Good Golf.
- Jon Gruden: Former NFL coach turned analyst for Barstool Sports.
The event successfully combined humor and competition, underscoring the growing influence of digital creators in the world of golf.
Despite the controversy surrounding Kwon, his lighthearted apology indicates a willingness to move forward. The Barstool Sports event highlighted how new personalities in golf keep fans engaged and conversing.
