- Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top golfer, achieved a remarkable feat this year by earning over $21 million.
- Based on the typical payment structure, Scheffler’s caddie, Ted Scott, has likely received at least $1.8 million, potentially even more.
- This amount surpasses the earnings of 160 PGA Tour golfers and would place Scott 83rd on the money list.
The unsung heroes of golf’s financial revolution are the caddies, and Ted Scott is leading the way.
Scott serves as the caddie for the world’s number one golfer, Scott Scheffler, who triumphed at The Players Championship and currently leads the FedEx Cup Playoffs after finishing second at the BMW Championship. This achievement earned Scheffler a handsome $1.76 million, his second-highest paycheck of the year.
With this recent payday, Scheffler’s total earnings for the season surpassed $21 million, setting a new PGA Tour record. As a result, it is highly likely that Scott now holds the record for the highest annual earnings by a caddie, surpassing $1.8 million.
Scott’s total earnings would place him 83rd among PGA Tour golfers this year, outperforming 160 other professionals.
This is an impressive feat for someone who contemplated retirement after parting ways with Bubba Watson in 2021 after a 15-year partnership. According to Golf Digest, Scott had plans to start a golf-lessons business but was convinced otherwise by Scheffler.
The timing of Scott’s collaboration with Scheffler couldn’t have been better.
In early 2022, LIV Golf emerged as a rival to the PGA Tour, signing lucrative contracts with some of the best golfers in the world. In response, the PGA Tour implemented significant changes, including larger payouts, especially for the top players. Although a merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf eventually took place, the increased tournament prizes remained, resulting in Scheffler’s record-breaking season.
According to former PGA Tour caddie and current ESPN analyst Michael Collins, the general compensation scale for most professional caddies in 2021 follows a 10-7-5 scheme. This means they receive 10% of the golfer’s earnings for a win, 7% for a top-10 finish, and 5% for all other outcomes.
In addition, most caddies receive a salary to cover their travel expenses for tournaments.
“Every caddie receives a weekly paycheck, regardless of how their player performs,” Collins stated on ESPN. “Even if the player misses the cut, the caddie still receives a paycheck because the caddie is responsible for all their own expenses, including airfare, hotel, car, and meals.”
Reports suggest that Scott’s base salary is $135,000 per year since coming out of retirement. In addition to that, bonuses from Scheffler’s 15 top-10 finishes and two victories this season contribute to Scott’s total earnings, which exceed $1.8 million based on the typical caddie pay scale. However, considering Scott’s retirement plans and his track record, including two Masters wins with Bubba Watson, it’s possible that he negotiated a more substantial compensation package when partnering with Scheffler.
Regardless, Scheffler and Scott aren’t finished yet. They will compete in the upcoming Tour Championship, where the final standings in the FedEx Cup rankings determine additional “bonus” earnings. The winner of the championship receives $18 million, potentially earning Scott another $1.8 million.
Scott’s golf-lessons business can wait as he continues to excel on the course.
Ben Jared/Getty Images
Confirming the widely accepted payscale for most professional caddies in 2021, former PGA Tour caddie and current ESPN analyst Michael Collins shared insights. He stated that the usual compensation follows a 10-7-5 structure, with caddies receiving 10% for a win, 7% for a top-10 finish, and 5% for other outcomes.
Furthermore, the majority of caddies receive a salary to cover their travel expenses for tournaments.
“Every caddie receives a weekly paycheck, regardless of their player’s performance,” Collins explained on ESPN. “Even if the player misses the cut, the caddie still receives a paycheck because the caddie is responsible for all their own expenses, including airfare, hotel, car, and meals.”
Multiple reports suggest that Scott receives a base salary of $135,000 per year since coming out of retirement. Combined with bonuses from Scheffler’s 15 top-10 finishes and two wins this season, Scott’s earnings surpass $1.8 million according to the typical caddie payment structure. However, given Scott’s retirement plans and his successful history, which includes two Masters wins with Bubba Watson, it’s possible that he negotiated a more lucrative compensation package when joining forces with Scheffler.
Regardless of the specifics, Scheffler and Scott’s journey continues. They are set to compete in the upcoming Tour Championship, where final standings in the FedEx Cup rankings determine additional “bonus” earnings. The championship winner claims $18 million, potentially earning Scott an additional $1.8 million.
Scott’s golf-lessons business can wait as he and Scheffler strive for further success on the course.
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