Professional golf is currently experiencing a surge in earnings, with Scottie Scheffler leading the way. Scheffler, who just turned 28, is on track to set a record for the most money made in a single PGA Tour season. Following his victory at the 2024 Travelers Championship, Scheffler moved to fifth on the all-time PGA Tour career money list, having earned $3.6 million from the tournament. In fact, Scheffler has earned more money than all but four PGA Tour players in history, highlighting the financial success he has achieved in his career.
One individual benefitting from Scheffler’s remarkable season is his caddie, Ted Scott. Caddies are typically paid a percentage of their player’s winnings, with the usual scale being 10% for a win, 7% for a top 10 finish, and 5% for making the cut. This season, Scheffler has won six tournaments, secured seven top 10 finishes, and only finished outside the top 10 twice. As a result, Scott has earned a significant amount of money, surpassing the Tour average by more than a million dollars.
A breakdown of Scott’s earnings from Scheffler’s tournaments reveals that he has likely earned $2,633,839 million throughout the season. This amount may seem insignificant compared to Scheffler’s nearly $28 million, but it is an extraordinary sum for a caddie. If Scott were included on the official PGA Tour money list for 2024, he would rank 46th out of 232 players who have won prize money this year, surpassing well-known golfers like Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, and Adam Scott.
Scott’s earnings from caddying for Scheffler have placed him ahead of prominent players such as 2023 FedEx Cup champion Viktor Hovland and 2024 tournament winners Nick Taylor, Jake Knapp, and Austin Eckroat. Even considering Scott’s winnings from the Travelers Championship alone would position him at 151st on the money list, outperforming 81 players. His involvement in signature events like The Players and the Masters has contributed significantly to his overall earnings and solidified his financial success.
The increased purse sizes and prestige associated with signature events in professional golf are not only benefiting the players but also individuals like caddies, such as Ted Scott. Scott’s exceptional season alongside the World No. 1 player Scheffler underscores the financial opportunities available in professional golf. As the sport continues to grow and attract more sponsors and viewers, the financial rewards for players and their support teams are likely to increase, further cementing golf’s status as an immensely lucrative professional sport.
