Unveiling the Green Behind the Greens: Who Really is the Richest Caddie in Golf? (Hint: It’s Not Who You Think)
When you think of wealth in golf, you might picture Tiger Woods on his yacht or Scottie Scheffler adding zeros to his bank account. But what about the caddies? They carry bags and read greens. Surely, they have some perks, right?
They do. Most caddies do well, grinding on the PGA Tour week after week. However, one caddie takes a different financial route. Forget comparing him to other caddies. He makes top golfers look poor. We speak of Ryan Smith.
Ryan Smith: The Billionaire Caddie Who Makes Tony Finau Look Like He Needs a Loan
Billionaire. Caddie. For Tony Finau. It sounds unreal, but it’s true. Ryan Smith isn’t a typical caddie stressing over yardage books for money. He owns the Utah Jazz and is a tech mogul. He carries Finau’s bag for fun. What a hobby!
So, when you ask “Who is the richest caddie?”, it’s Ryan Smith. But it’s not his caddie pay that makes him wealthy. His billions arise from business ventures. It changes how we view “caddie earnings” entirely.
Caddie Earnings: More Than Just a Walk in the Park (But Less Than a Billion, Usually)
Ryan Smith is unique in the caddie world. The rest have typical earnings based on performance and weekly support.
Here’s a breakdown of how a typical PGA Tour caddie gets paid:
- The Percentage Split: The Bread and Butter
- 10% for a Win: Jackpot! When their golfer wins, the caddie earns 10% of the winner’s check. In today’s PGA, with huge prize purses, this means hundreds of thousands in a week. Imagine Ted Scott’s grin when Scheffler wins – probably bigger than Augusta’s fairway.
- 7% for a Top 10 Finish: Still a Great Week. Even if there’s no win, finishing in the top 10 offers 7% of the earnings. Consistent top 10s add up, ensuring a good living.
- 5% for Making the Cut (and Anything Else): Keeping the Lights On. Making the cut means four rounds, more FedEx Cup points, and for the caddie, 5% of earnings for playing the weekend. It serves as the minimum for a week’s work.
- Weekly Salary/Stipend: The Safety Net
- $1,500 – $4,000 per Week (Typical Range): Expense Money. Typical weekly pay ranges from $1,500 to $4,000. Though it seems little compared to potential earnings, it covers significant expenses.
- Caddies Pay Their Own Way: Road Warriors.
- Negotiated Deals: It’s All About the Contract.
This is where solid money lies (for some). The usual split serves as an unwritten rule for caddies. It’s like their “10% for the big man.” The caddie *is* the big man when it comes to a cut of winnings.
While considered “standard,” these percentages can be negotiated. Some may take a lower percentage for a higher weekly salary. It’s about finding a balance.
The game is unpredictable. Players slump, balls bounce wrong, and sometimes the cut is missed. This is where a weekly salary comes in. It acts as a safety net, ensuring income covers expenses.
Caddies pay for everything: airfare, hotels, food. They cover the costs up front. Jim “Bones” Mackay (Phil Mickelson’s ex-caddie) noted that if a player misses the cut, the caddie still needs pay for their travels. It’s tough, making weekly stipends critical.
The 10-7-5 split isn’t law. Experienced caddies may negotiate better terms. They might seek higher rates, adjusted percentages, or bonuses. It’s a business and contracts matter.
Ted Scott: Riding the Scheffler Rocket to Caddie Riches
Let’s discuss a caddie enjoying life due to his golfer’s performance: Ted Scott, Scottie Scheffler’s caddie. Scheffler’s 2024 has been remarkable, and Scott has reaped benefits.
- Estimated 2024 Earnings: Over $5 Million. Buckle up. Ted Scott reportedly earned over $5 million in 2024! More than many PGA players earn in a year! Scheffler’s performance has turned Scott into a financial powerhouse on the course.
- Masters Win: $360,000. Scheffler’s second Masters win netted them both a significant payday. Scott’s 10% cut from that event came to around $360,000. That’s a splendid bonus with a Green Jacket victory.
- The Players Championship: $450,000. Scott earned an impressive $450,000 when Scheffler won this tournament, often called the “fifth major.” Half a million dollars for one week of work!
- Tour Championship: $2.5 Million. At the Tour Championship, Scheffler’s win was worth $2.5 million *to his caddie*. Yes, two and half *million* for one tournament. Stunning money, proving Scheffler’s incredible season and the standard caddie split.
- From Bubba to Scheffler: A Caddie Career Turnaround. Ted Scott previously caddied for Bubba Watson for 15 years. He was there for both of Watson’s Masters wins. Switching to Scheffler has turned out to be an exceptionally profitable career change.
Other Caddie Cash Kings (Who Aren’t Billionaires, But Still Doing Very Well)
While Ted Scott leads in caddie earnings currently, other caddies also enjoy substantial earnings due to their golfers’ talents.
- Michael Greller (Jordan Spieth’s Caddie): Consistent Earnings. Michael Greller, who works with Jordan Spieth, excels as well. He once earned about $180,000 *in one tournament*, likely during Spieth’s major wins. Estimates show Greller’s career earnings at around $3.1 million. Not bad for advising and walking.
- Adam Hayes (Jon Rahm’s Caddie): LIV-ing the High Life. Adam Hayes worked with Jon Rahm during Rahm’s strong performance before LIV Golf. It’s estimated he earned just under $3 million while with Rahm. And since Rahm’s lucrative LIV contract, Hayes likely continued to earn well – reports say around £2.2 million (roughly $2.8 million) during Rahm’s winning streak.
- still, impressive numbers.
- Harry Diamond (Rory McIlroy’s Caddie): The Childhood Friend. Harry Diamond is Rory McIlroy’s caddie and childhood friend. His salary likely is around $2,000 per week plus percentages. Their relationship is more about friendliness than strict business. It shows how personal ties help in the player-caddie realm.
Legends of the Loop: Famous Caddies Who Made History (and a Good Living)
Some caddies became legends. Their names symbolize greatness in golf.
- Steve Williams: The Mount Rushmore of Caddies. Steve “Stevie” Williams is arguably the most famous caddie ever. He had a successful time with Tiger Woods. Williams also caddied for Adam Scott, Greg Norman, and Raymond Floyd. He has over 150 career wins, including 14 major wins with Tiger. No other caddie matches his record.
- Pappy Stokes: The Masters Maestro. Willie Lee “Pappy” Stokes is known for his Masters legacy. He holds the record for most Masters wins by a caddie, at five. He did this with four different champions. Stokes shows great adaptability and mastery of greens. He is in the Caddie Hall of Fame.
- Fanny Sunesson: Breaking Barriers. Fanny Sunesson is one of the most notable female caddies in golf history. She worked with major champions Nick Faldo and Henrik Stenson. She proved caddying is not just for men and opened doors for future women in the field.
It’s Complicated: Golfer-Caddie Relationships – More Than Just Business
The golfer-caddie relationship is unique. It combines business with personal bonds. These relationships are built on trust, goals, and countless hours on the course. They can transcend typical professional dynamics.
- Lee Westwood and… His Wife! Lee Westwood caddied for his girlfriend, later his wife. In their wedding year, he finished second at the Arnold Palmer Invitational with her by his side. This shows a personal element in the golfer-caddie bond.
- Rory and Harry: Childhood Friends on the Course. Rory McIlroy chose Harry Diamond as his caddie due to their deep connection. Diamond is more than a caddie; he is a childhood friend. They teamed up in 2017 and maintained their partnership, built on years of friendship.
- When it Goes Sour: The Case of Tiger and Stevie. Even great partnerships can end. Steve Williams and Tiger Woods were a top duo, but their split was messy. Williams was let go for caddying for another player while Woods was injured. It shows loyalty matters, even in success.
- Bubba and His Caddie’s 10-Year Plan. Bubba Watson split with Ted Scott before Scott became Scottie’s caddie. This was due to a commitment issue. Scott needed a decade-long commitment for retirement planning. Watson’s unpredictable career path couldn’t guarantee that. Sometimes friendly splits stem from differing life plans.
Caddie Confidential: Rules of the Road (or the Course)
Caddying is not just about carrying bags or reading greens. There are real rules caddies must follow.
- No Wandering, No Free Snacks! Golf clubs have strict rules for caddies. They usually cannot wander the course or clubhouse alone. Golfers get free snacks and drinks, while caddies often get only bottled water. Staying hydrated is important, but packing a snack is wise.
- Don’t Stand Behind the Player! This rule is essential in golf. Caddies must not stand behind players during their stance. Doing so results in a two-stroke penalty. This rule helps keep play fair and prevents any unintended or intended help with alignment.
The Big Picture: Golfer Net Worth – Context for Caddie Income
To understand caddie earnings, consider golfers’ financial status.
- Tiger Woods: Billionaire Golfer King. Tiger Woods is a golf icon and financial marvel. His net worth is around $1.3 billion. Since turning pro in 1996, he has earned over $1.8 billion. He became the first billionaire golfer, certified by Forbes in 2022. His financial success exceeds even top-earning caddies and shows the immense wealth in professional golf.
- Scottie Scheffler: Rising Star, Rising Net Worth. Scottie Scheffler is not in Tiger’s billionaire echelon yet but is gaining wealth fast. His net worth ranges from $50 million to $90 million. By August 2024, his PGA Tour earnings were over $70 million. Ted Scott’s cut from that income shows that caddying for top players pays well.
- Jack Nicklaus and Jordan Spieth: Golfing Fortunes. Jack Nicklaus is often considered the greatest golfer with an estimated net worth of $400 million. In contrast, Jordan Spieth has about $120 million to his name. Their wealth highlights caddie earnings’ context. Caddies may earn millions, but golfers compete for even larger sums.
The Billionaire Boys Club: Golf’s Exclusive Financial Tier
Tiger Woods belongs to an exclusive group: billionaire golfers. Currently, he is the only one to reach this golf milestone. In contrast, Ryan Smith is a billionaire caddie who achieved wealth in other ways. This points to an important fact: at high levels, golf entails immense wealth, while caddies like Ted Scott find success too, though on different financial planes.
So who holds the title as richest caddie in golf? Technically, Ryan Smith is the billionaire who caddies for enjoyment. Now, for actual caddie earnings, Ted Scott reigns supreme through Scottie Scheffler’s success. It’s an intriguing look into golf’s financial world. Even caddies earn well, though billionaire status remains elusive unless it’s already achieved!
