How Much Money Does A PGA Tour Caddie Earn?
They walk in silence, one step behind greatness. Dressed in white at Augusta or polos under the Pacific sun, PGA Tour caddies are ever-present on golf’s biggest stages. They’re more than bag carriers—they’re pressure handlers, shot strategists, emotional anchors, and sometimes scapegoats. The spotlight rarely finds them, but their impact often defines who walks away with the trophy on Sunday.
To many fans, caddies appear as background figures or glorified luggage handlers. But that couldn’t be further from the truth. A good caddie is part meteorologist, part psychologist, and part chess master. They sense wind changes before the player steps onto the tee. They decode greens like classic literature. They steady a golfer after disaster and get them focused for the next shot. And when the putt drops? They fade quietly into the backdrop.
No Salary, No Problem
Unlike players with sponsorships or office workers with health benefits, PGA Tour caddies are independent contractors. No salary. No benefits. No safety net.
Still, top-tier caddies negotiate weekly base pay ranging from $1,000 to $1,500. That’s meant to cover expenses like travel and lodging. Across 25 to 30 events per year, base earnings range between $25,000 and $45,000—a modest living considering the demands.
But the real money is in performance bonuses.
The Bonus Game
A caddie’s big payday depends on how well their golfer performs. Bonuses are typically structured as:
-
5% of earnings for making the cut
-
7% for a top-10 finish
-
10% for a tournament win
These aren’t official league rules—they’re standard industry practice negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
With 2024’s record-breaking PGA purses, those percentages can be staggering. The Players Championship alone had a $25 million purse, with $4.5 million to the winner. That means the winning caddie could walk away with $450,000—for one weekend of near-flawless guidance.
Ted Scott, for example, caddied for world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in 2024. Scheffler racked up seven wins and over $29 million in earnings. Using the usual split, Scott made over $5 million—more than most golfers.
RELATED: Who Won the 2025 Masters & How Much Do They Get?
Even caddies for lower-tier players earn well. Bryan Kopsick, who caddies for Ben Silverman, reportedly earned around $150,000 last year. His agreement included $2,000 per week plus 8% of Silverman’s winnings. Not bad considering Silverman finished 110th on the money list.
Then there are the legends. Steve Williams, longtime caddie for Tiger Woods, once received a Ford GT after a victory at Doral. Between gifts and earnings, Williams made more than $1 million annually, eventually building a $20 million net worth.
Or take Michael Greller, a former middle school teacher turned caddie for Jordan Spieth. Since teaming up in 2013, Greller has earned an estimated $5–7 million, with several $1.5 million seasons under his belt.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
Of course, not every caddie is cashing checks like Ted Scott. They cover their own travel, lodging, and insurance costs. Many are their own small business, without any safety net should their player miss cuts or part ways unexpectedly.
The grind is real. Tournaments now span continents, not just states. The modern Tour season includes stops in Hawaii, Asia, Europe, and beyond. Flights, meals, and hotels come out of pocket. Some weeks caddies walk more than 60 miles during practice rounds and tournament days, always analyzing, always adjusting.
LATEST: Tax Tips for Recently Married Couples and First-Time Parents.
They also carry a silent weight—if a player plays poorly, the caddie often takes the hit, publicly or privately. Yet even in the chaos, many wouldn't trade it. The opportunity to impact a Sunday finish is worth the grind.
And if you want a quirky fact to share at the 19th hole: the richest person to ever caddie in the U.S. Open? Scott McNealy, billionaire co-founder of Sun Microsystems—who toted the bag for his amateur son Maverick in 2014.
Conclusion - The Backbone of Golf
Caddies may not get the spotlight, but they’re the heartbeat behind every major win and every comeback story. They offer stability in chaos, precision under pressure, and loyalty beyond the scorecard. Without them, golf’s greatest moments might never happen. Their grit, wisdom, and sacrifice shape the game just as much as the swings and scores. For every towering drive and clutch putt, there’s a caddie who helped make it possible. In a sport built on individual brilliance, caddies are the invisible team—making the impossible seem effortless. They deserve every ounce of respect, and then some.
