Scottie Scheffler’s caddie has banked more than a three-time major winner this year. The world number one has enjoyed a cash-laden 2024, winning a second Masters title and rounding off the year by taking the FedEx Cup, which alone carried a paycheque of £19m.
In between, he took a host of PGA Tour titles and top-10 finishes. Overall, Scheffler has earned £47million, which works out at an average of £2.5million per tournament, £628,000 per round and £9,000 per shot.
Naturally, that has seen bagman Ted Scott handsomely remunerated too. Even before Scheffler clinched the FedEx Cup, Scott had earned just over £2million on the PGA Tour. That would have placed him 58th on the players’ money list, with some illustrious names trailing in his wake, including three-time major winner Jordan Spieth and USA Ryder Cup star Rickie Fowler.
Spieth, who has won three of the four majors with only the USPGA Championship missing from his CV, has been struggling with injury over the last 18 months and recently underwent wrist surgery, although he has continued to play.
In a social media announcement, he said last month: “I had a procedure on my left wrist last week, as I had mentioned was the plan. The operation went smoothly and I’m grateful for the exceptional medical team and support of [wife] Annie and my family. Focused on rest and rehab, and I look forward to returning to golf healthy and prepared for 2025!”
Typically, a caddie will earn 10% of their players’ victory purse, 7% for a top 10 and 5% for anything else. Given the vast sums he is making, Scheffler has people to manage his financial affairs.
On his arrangement with Scott, the 28-year-old recently told the Pardon My Take podcast: “We have a girl that helps us pay bills basically because I’m a child and I can’t keep track of all that stuff!
“She quickly took over that job and texts me at the end of each week, saying, “Hey, this is how much we’re paying Ted”. I’m like, “That’s great”.
Scott, who was Bubba Watson’s bagman for 15 years, and Scheffler attended the same bible study group before teaming up. Scheffler has admitted the caddie's religious beliefs were an important factor in his decision to work with him.
“I just think the world of him as a person so that was why I was attracted to him just being a potential good partner for me out on the course,” said Scheffler. “I really want to work with a Christian. That’s how I try to live my life.”