How much does a PGA Tour caddie earn? Pro Caddy Salary

Exploring the mystery around how much does a PGA Tour caddie earn in salary.

How much does a PGA Tour caddie earn? Pro Caddy Salary

Golf, a prominent sport across the globe, has witnessed some great stories in its 100-plus-year history. The sport has seen several epic triumphs of golfers such as Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Jack Nicklaus. However, their success cannot just be attributed to them.

Their caddies over the years have also played a significant role in their success. Often acting more than just people who carry bags, they have imparted their wisdom to the players. While the players earn the big bucks, how much does a caddy makes is now the trending question among fans.

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A caddie is a professional in golf who carries the bag of the golfers. The bag consists of the golfer’s various clubs and balls which the player uses.

The money involved in golf is surprisingly higher than some other professional sports. The purse of the events has seen a significant increase in the past few years. This has led to many wondering, how much they actually earn by carrying bags over the weekend.

As per reports, a professional PGA Tour caddie receives around 5 to 10 percent of the players’ winning. This rate though can differ depending upon the negotiations and contract agreed between the player and caddie. So let’s dig deep into the earnings of a pro caddy.

How much is Pro Caddy Salary?

As seen in jobs, a person receives a regular salary every. According to Independent Golf Reviews, a professional caddy makes around $1,500-$3,000 per tournament. So if the caddy appears in four tournaments in a month, they can make an approximate value of around $6,000-$12,000.

Another thing that matters more is which player is the caddie working for. The amount received from winnings could be higher if they caddie for top players. Whereas caddying for a fringe player could see the caddie make less.

Steve Williams and Tiger Woods
Steve Williams and Tiger Woods (Image via The Washington Post)

One of the biggest names in caddie greats is Steve Williams. The New Zealand International has caddied for some of the greats including Greg Norman. However, his time with Tiger Woods is regarded as the best.

During this tenure with Woods, Williams is reported to have made $12 million while carrying his back. He played a huge part in the golf great’s rising success in the late ’90s and early 2000s.

Another big in the caddie industry is Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay. The legendary caddie has caddied for several big names including Fred Couples and Justin Thomas. However, his time with Phil Mickelson is the best remembered.

The duo shared 25 years together and achieved a lot of success. Mackay is reported to have made millions while sharing the pitch with him. However, some internal issues between them saw their relationship end on a sour note. So in general the total earnings of a caddie usually depends on which player they represent.

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