🏌🏻🏌🏽‍♂️The Masters Behind the Masters: Get to Know the Caddies of some of the World's Best Golf Players

Discover in this article who are the current caddies for the top golf players in the world and explore the primary revenue streams for professional golf caddies.

Immerse yourself in this top 15!

👉🏽 Ted Scott 🏌🏼‍♂️ Scottie Scheffler's caddie

Ted Scott is known for his longtime caddie partnership with 2-time Masters champion Bubba Watson. Scott and Watson formed one of the PGA Tour's most successful player-caddie duos, working together for over 15 years and winning a total of 12 PGA Tour titles, including 2 Masters victories (2012 and 2014).

In late 2021, Scott began caddying for Scottie Scheffler, and their partnership has been remarkably successful, with Scheffler becoming World No. 1 and winning multiple prestigious tournaments, including the 2022 Masters, back-to-back PLAYERS Championships (2023-2024), and back-to-back Arnold Palmer Invitationals (2023-2024).

Scott is estimated to have made $1.8 million from Scheffler's winnings in 2024 alone. See this interesting article from NBC Sports "Projecting how much money Ted Scott, made this season". Scott's calm demeanor, strategic course management skills, and ability to handle high-pressure situations have made him one of the most sought-after caddies in professional golf, with combined earnings helping his players win over $85 million in prize money.

👉🏽 Austin Kaiser 🏌🏼‍♂️Xander Schauffele's caddie

Austin Kaiser has been Xander Schauffele's caddie since the beginning of Schauffele's professional career, with their partnership dating back to their days playing junior golf together in Southern California. Their close friendship and shared competitive history have forged one of golf's most effective player-caddie partnerships. Kaiser, who played collegiate golf at San Diego State alongside Schauffele, has been on the bag for all of Xander's major professional victories, including the 2020 Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, multiple PGA Tour wins, and the 2022 Scottish Open.

👉🏽 Harry Diamond 🏌🏼‍♂️Rory Mcllroy's caddie

Harry Diamond is a childhood friend of McIlroy and they have a very close relationship. Diamond replaced JP Fitzgerald in 2017 and has been McIlroy's caddie ever since.

Diamond and McIlroy share a deep friendship that dates back to their junior golf days in Northern Ireland, where they competed together and became close friends. Despite initial skepticism from some observers about Diamond's lack of professional caddying experience, the partnership has proven highly successful, with McIlroy winning multiple prestigious titles including the 2019 PLAYERS Championship, the 2019 FedEx Cup, and the 2022 CJ Cup. Diamond, who was a successful amateur golfer in his own right and owned a bar in Belfast before becoming McIlroy's caddie, brings a unique combination of golf knowledge and personal understanding to their partnership.

👉🏽 Jonathan "JJ" Jakovac 🏌🏼‍♂️Collin Morikawa's caddie

Jonathan Jakovac has been Collin Morikawa's caddie since 2019, forming one of golf's most successful young partnerships. A former competitive golfer himself who won two NCAA Division II national championships at Chico State, Jakovac brings both playing experience and strategic course management skills to his role. The partnership got off to a remarkable start, with Morikawa winning the 2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship, making him the first player to win two different majors in his first attempt. Prior to working with Morikawa, Jakovac spent 8 years caddying for Ryan Moore.

Collin Morikawa shared high praise for his caddie after his win at the Zozo Championship in 2023 : "I would not have my 6th PGA Tour win without him, he's a friend, he's a mentor, he's someone I rely on, he's someone I respect".

👉🏽 Joe Skovron 🏌🏼‍♂️Ludvig Aberg's caddie

Skovron caddied for Rickie Fowler since he turned pro in 2009 and was on the bag for all five of his PGA Tour wins, including Fowler's biggest career victory at the 2015 Players Championship. Joe Skovron joined Ludvig Åberg's team at the end of 2023, bringing with him a wealth of experience and valuable know-how. The change of caddie has paid off, as Ludvig Åberg has continued to put in a string of good performances since teaming up with Joe Skovron.

👉🏽 John Ellis 🏌🏼‍♂️Wyndham Clark's caddie

John Ellis has been Wyndham Clark's caddie since late 2022. Their collaboration reached new heights in 2023 when Clark captured his first major championship at the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, followed by another significant victory at the 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Ellis, who previously caddied for Webb Simpson for many years, brought valuable major championship experience to the partnership, having been on Simpson's bag for his 2012 U.S. Open victory.

👉🏽 Shota Hayafuji 🏌🏼‍♂️Hideki Matsuyama's caddie

Shota Hayafuji gained international recognition as Hideki Matsuyama's caddie, particularly after the historic 2021 Masters Tournament where Matsuyama became the first Japanese male golfer to win a major championship. Following Matsuyama's victory, Hayafuji created one of golf's most memorable and respectful moments when he removed his cap and bowed to Augusta National Golf Club after replacing the flagstick on the 18th hole, a gesture that went viral and earned widespread admiration for its display of Japanese culture and golf etiquette. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and quiet professionalism, Hayafuji exemplifies the important role caddies play in professional golf while bringing a unique cultural perspective to the sport.

👉🏽 Shay Knight 🏌🏼‍♂️Viktor Hovland's caddie

They have been a strong duo since Hovland turned professional in 2019. Knight is an experienced caddie who worked with several PGA Tour players before teaming up with Hovland. Their partnership has been notably successful, with Knight on the bag for several of Hovland's PGA Tour victories, including the 2023 FedEx Cup championship at East Lake Golf Club. Knight took over as Hovland's caddie after Hovland parted ways with his previous caddie Shay Davies. It was through Rickie Fowler and his then caddie Joe Skovron that Knight met Hovland. Skovron was instrumental in bringing the two men together.

👉🏽 Gregory Bodine 🏌🏼‍♂️Bryson DeChambeau's caddie

Bryson DeChambeau has undergone several caddie changes during his professional career. After working with Tim Tucker for several years, he then worked with Brian Ziegler for a short period. Bodine had already worked with another golfing great, Tony Finau, from 2014 to 2020. Finally, it was Gregory Bodine who took up the reins as DeChambeau's caddie in mid-2023. The partnership between DeChambeau and Bodine has already produced encouraging results. Their collaboration was highlighted at the 2024 US Open, where DeChambeau put in a remarkable performance.

👉🏽 Ian Finnis 🏌🏼‍♂️Tommy Fleetwood's caddie

Finnis is known for his size (he is around 1m98) and for his loyalty to Fleetwood. Affectionately known as "Finno" in golf circles, he has been Tommy Fleetwood's caddie and trusted confidant since 2016. Their partnership extends beyond just a professional relationship as they have been friends since childhood, growing up together in Southport, England.

Finnis has been on the bag for all of Fleetwood's significant professional victories, including multiple European Tour (now DP World Tour) wins and his memorable performances in major championships and Ryder Cups.

Their connection was particularly evident during Fleetwood's record-breaking 63 at the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, where Finnis's course knowledge and support played a crucial role.

👉🏽 Joe LaCava 🏌🏼‍♂️Patrick Cantlay's caddie

Joe LaCava is one of golf's most respected and experienced caddies, known for his current partnership with Patrick Cantlay and his previous notable stint as Tiger Woods' caddie. LaCava, who joined forces with Cantlay in 2023, brings decades of professional caddie experience to their partnership, having previously worked with golf legends including Fred Couples (for 20 years) and Tiger Woods (from 2011-2023). His transition to Cantlay's bag came after Woods' limited playing schedule due to injuries, and the partnership has already shown promise on the PGA Tour. LaCava is known for his calm demeanor, extensive course knowledge, and ability to handle pressure situations, traits that complement Cantlay's methodical and strategic approach to the game.

👉🏽 Scott Vail 🏌🏼‍♂️Keegan Bradley's caddie

Scott Vail has been Keegan Bradley's trusted caddie since 2016, bringing extensive experience and professionalism to their partnership. Before joining Bradley's team, Vail was notably known for his long-term work with Brandt Snedeker for over a decade.

His partnership with Bradley has been marked by several significant victories, including their triumph at the 2018 BMW Championship and the 2022 ZOZO Championship.

👉🏽 Carl Smith 🏌🏼‍♂️Sahith Theegala's caddie

Smith is known for his relaxed relationship with Theegala and their shared passion for basketball. Smith was an assistant coach at Pepperdine University, where Theegala studied. It was Smith who recruited Theegala at the time.

Smith has significant experience as a caddie on the PGA Tour, having worked with the likes of Cameron Tringale and Andrew Putnam.

Carl Smith has emerged as a notable presence alongside rising PGA Tour star Sahith Theegala, with their partnership garnering attention as Theegala's career has ascended. Their breakthrough moment came with Theegala's first PGA Tour victory at the 2023 Fortinet Championship, where Smith's support and course management skills played a crucial role in helping Theegala secure his maiden tour win.

👉🏽 Adam Hayes 🏌🏼‍♂️John Rahm's caddie

Their partnership began in 2016, when Rahm was still relatively unknown on the professional circuit.

Prior to working with Rahm, Hayes caddied for a number of PGA Tour players including Webb Simpson, Jason Dufner, Russell Henley, Vaughan Taylor and Ben Crane.

Since working together, Rahm has enjoyed a meteoric rise, winning numerous tournaments, including two Majors, and reaching the top of the world rankings in July 2020.

Hayes has accompanied Rahm to several editions of the Ryder Cup, where he has played an important role in the European team's success.

👉🏽 Andrew Sanders 🏌🏼‍♂️Russell Henley's caddie

Sanders has a strong background as a caddie, having worked with players such as Jimmy Walker and Jason Schultz. He won the Frys.com Open (now the Fortinet Championship) in 2013 with Jimmy Walker, a career highlight.

Henley and Sanders have won several tournaments, including the Shell Houston Open in 2017. Their collaboration has positioned Henley as one of the most consistent golfers on the PGA Tour. The duo enjoyed notable success at the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba in 2022, where Henley won the tournament.

Prior to Sanders, Henley also worked with Adam Hayes, who now caddies for Jon Rahm.

💡 What are the main sources of income of a professional golf caddie? 💰

• Percentage of Golfer's Winnings

  • The percentage varies based on the player's ranking, the tournament's prestige, and the specific agreement between the golfer and the caddie. Caddies receive a percentage of their golfer's prize money, which can range from 5% to 10% for regular tournaments and up to 15% or more for major championships.

    
    

• Base Salary

  • Some caddies, especially those working for top-tier golfers, receive a fixed weekly or monthly salary. PGA caddies are typically provided with a base salary or stipend to cover essential expenses such as travel, hotel accommodations, and meals. The base salary for a Tour caddie typically ranges from $1,500 to $4,000 per week, with an average of approximately $2,000.

    
    

• Bonuses based on player performance

  • These can be tied to specific achievements, such as winning a major championship or finishing in the top 10 of a major tournament. When a golfer makes the cut, their caddie receives a standard 5% bonus. This bonus increases to 7% for a top-10 finish and 10% for a tournament victory.

    
    

• Sponsorship Deals

  • A few top caddies, especially those working with high-profile golfers, may secure sponsorship deals with golf equipment companies or other brands.

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