What do caddies earn? Financial breakdown explained as PGA Championship continues

How much the caddies at the PGA Championship earn

• Basic wage: Caddies on the PGA Tour generally earn a guaranteed weekly base salary ranging from £1,100 to £3,000 to cover travel, accommodation and meals. For major tournaments, such as the current PGA Championship, this base figure is often towards the upper end owing to heightened logistical requirements and pressure.
• Winning bonus structure: The industry norm for a tournament win is 10% of the player's prize money. That translates to a substantial payday for the victorious bagman at the PGA Championship, where the winning golfer will pocket £2.5m. That would amount to between £220,000 and £335,000 for the caddie.
• Top-10 and made-cut percentages: For a finish within the top 10 but outside first place, caddies typically earn 7% of the player's winnings for the week. Should the player just make the cut and finish beyond the top 10, the caddie's share usually falls to 5% of the total prize money.
• Self-funded business expenses: Despite the substantial earning potential, caddies bear responsibility for their own professional outgoings, including flights, car hire and yardage books. These costs can surpass £35,000 annually, which is why the guaranteed weekly base salary proves vital for those working with lower-ranked players.
• Major tournament incentives: Major championships often see "prestige bonuses" or elevated base rates owing to the intensity of the week and the complexity of the courses. Some high-profile players may also furnish their caddies with private accommodation or travel allowances, particularly for the four majors.
• Rory McIlroy's caddie: Harry Diamond ranks among the highest earners in the sport thanks to McIlroy's relentless success. After his 2026 Masters triumph, Diamond is reported to have collected a £333,000 bonus. He regularly takes home over £1.1m annually.
• Ted Scott's enormous pay packet: Scott, who works for Scottie Scheffler, is presently regarded as one of the best-paid caddies in the game's history owing to Scheffler's success. In 2024 and 2025, Scott's income was estimated to exceed that of numerous actual PGA Tour professionals, courtesy of the 10% share from Scheffler's string of lucrative victories.
• Other high-profile bagmen: Additional elite caddies include Austin Kaiser (Xander Schauffele) and Adam Hayes (Jon Rahm), both of whom have banked millions by steering their players through major championships and, in Rahm's case, LIV Golf's enormous prize funds. These top-level caddies are viewed as co-pilots rather than mere bag carriers, frequently assisting with club selection and green reading under immense pressure.
• Endorsement and sponsorship revenue: In addition to their player's earnings, leading caddies commonly earn extra income by wearing branded caps, towels or apparel for sponsors. Such endorsements can generate an additional £3,700 to £11,000 per event for caddies who regularly appear on television alongside star names.
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