What do caddies earn? Monetary breakdown defined as PGA Championship continues

Elite golf caddies might be topping up their financial institution balances on the PGA Championship this weekend.

Rory McIlroy with bagman Harry Diamond

Rory McIlroy has had nice success with bagman Harry Diamond (Picture: Getty) This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Study extra

How a lot the caddies on the PGA Championship earn

Fundamental wage: Caddies on the PGA Tour usually earn a assured weekly base wage starting from £1,100 to £3,000 to cowl journey, lodging and meals. For main tournaments, corresponding to the present PGA Championship, this base determine is commonly in the direction of the higher finish owing to heightened logistical necessities and strain.
Profitable bonus construction: The trade norm for a match win is 10% of the participant’s prize cash. That interprets to a considerable payday for the victorious bagman on the PGA Championship, the place the profitable golfer will pocket £2.5m. That will quantity to between £220,000 and £335,000 for the caddie.
Prime-10 and made-cut percentages: For a end throughout the high 10 however exterior first place, caddies sometimes earn 7% of the participant’s winnings for the week. Ought to the participant simply make the lower and end past the highest 10, the caddie’s share often falls to five% of the overall prize cash.
Self-funded enterprise bills: Regardless of the substantial incomes potential, caddies bear accountability for their very own skilled outgoings, together with flights, automotive rent and yardage books. These prices can surpass £35,000 yearly, which is why the assured weekly base wage proves important for these working with lower-ranked gamers.
Main match incentives: Main championships typically see “status bonuses” or elevated base charges owing to the depth of the week and the complexity of the programs. Some high-profile gamers may furnish their caddies with personal lodging or journey allowances, notably for the 4 majors.
Rory McIlroy’s caddie: Harry Diamond ranks among the many highest earners within the sport due to McIlroy’s relentless success. After his 2026 Masters triumph, Diamond is reported to have collected a £333,000 bonus. He usually takes house over £1.1m yearly.
Ted Scott’s huge pay packet: Scott, who works for Scottie Scheffler, is presently considered one of many best-paid caddies within the sport’s historical past owing to Scheffler’s success. In 2024 and 2025, Scott’s revenue was estimated to exceed that of quite a few precise PGA Tour professionals, courtesy of the ten% share from Scheffler’s string of profitable victories.
Different high-profile bagmen: Extra elite caddies embrace Austin Kaiser (Xander Schauffele) and Adam Hayes (Jon Rahm), each of whom have banked tens of millions by steering their gamers by main championships and, in Rahm’s case, LIV Golf’s huge prize funds. These top-level caddies are seen as co-pilots slightly than mere bag carriers, steadily aiding with membership choice and inexperienced studying underneath immense strain.
Endorsement and sponsorship income: Along with their participant’s earnings, main caddies generally earn further revenue by carrying branded caps, towels or attire for sponsors. Such endorsements can generate an extra £3,700 to £11,000 per occasion for caddies who usually seem on tv alongside star names.
READ MORE: Rory McIlroy’s conduct assessed by caddie who ‘apologised 5 instances’ to Masters champion