How Much Xander Schauffele's Caddie Earns From PGA Championship Win
The total prize purse for the 2024 PGA Championship has risen to $18.5 million, but how much of that does the winning caddie take home?
After the PGA of America announced the official prize purse total for the 2024 PGA Championship, we know have a much better idea of what sort of figure the winning player's caddie will collect.
While the exact amount a professional caddie makes varies from on-course couple to on-course couple, it is generally accepted the looper will take a 10 per cent cut of the winner's check, and between a seven and five per cent share - depending on how far down the leaderboard their boss ends up.
“I think $2,000 a week is pretty average, but everything is worked out between you and the player,” veteran caddie of over 25 years Brennan Little told Golf Monthly in 2022.
“After a few years you’ll get a raise. Or you’ll get bonuses at the end of the year. It just varies by the player. I think generally if you were looking for a number it would be $2,000 a week, and then 7 to 8 per cent and 10 per cent [of the prize money].”
In relation to the PGA Championship, the total prize purse has risen by $1 million from 2023 and an astonishing $6.5 million from 2021 - it is now $18.5 million for the 2024 event at Valhalla Golf Club. From that, Xander Schauffele not only collects the Wanamaker Trophy but also a check for $3.33 million.
Taking the aforementioned theory into account, Xander Schauffele's caddie Austin Kaiser is likely to earn $330,000 for his excellent week's work. Caddies also make a baseline salary every week, on top of a percentage of prize money, which is all agreed upon with the player.
The PGA Championship number is marginally less than Scottie Scheffler's caddie, Ted Scott picked up at The Masters, with the total prize purse at Augusta standing at $20 million - $3.6 million of which went to the World No.1. $360,000 of Scheffler's prize was then passed on his charismatic assistant.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Scott is nearing the $2 million mark for bonus earnings in 2024 already and would need Scheffler - who has endured something of a strange week following his arrest on Friday just days after becoming a dad for the first time - to pull off one of the all-time great comebacks if he is to pass that figure this week.
Otherwise, Scott is likely to have a couple more opportunities to pass the magic number before the US Open next month in the form of the Canadian Open and the Memorial Tournament - a PGA Tour Signature Event.
The eight special PGA Tour events this year have prize purses of $20 million and pay the winner either $4 million or $3.6 million, depending on the tournament, meaning the victorious caddie can take home a check for $400,000.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and is hoping to reach his Handicap goal of 18 at some stage. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
Tripp Isenhour Facts: 10 Things To Know About The Golf Channel Broadcaster
Tripp Isenhour has been a Golf Channel regular since 2008 - here are 10 things to know about the former pro
By Mike Hall Published
-
Adam Sandler Hints At Jack Nicklaus Appearance In Happy Gilmore 2 Movie
The actor, who plays the protagonist in the movie, appeared on the Dan Patrick Show to explain Nicklaus’s role in the sequel
By Mike Hall Published
-
Scottie Scheffler Arrest Helps Boost PGA Championship TV Numbers Despite NBA Playoff Competition
The World No.1's arrest on Friday and a stellar finish at Valhalla helped CBS record a notable bump in TV viewing figures compared to 2023
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
WATCH: How Team Schauffele Celebrated Xander’s Record-Breaking PGA Championship Win
The new World No.2 enjoyed landing his first Major title at Valhalla by partying alongside friends and family at their accommodation later on Sunday
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Astonishing Stat On Just How Low Scoring Was At The 2024 PGA Championship
The combined score to par for the PGA Championship field shows just how generous Valhalla was at the Major
By Mike Hall Published
-
'Beaming' Johnson Wagner Struggles To Replicate Xander Schauffele's Clutch PGA Championship Shot After Funny Shanks
Golf Channel analyst Johnson Wagner proved just how impressive Schauffele's clutch shot out of the rough was on 18 on Sunday...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Which Players Secured Their Spots For The 2025 PGA Championship?
Following strong performances at Valhalla, we will see a number of players return to the PGA Championship in 2025
By Matt Cradock Published
-
2 Of LIV Golf’s Biggest Hitters Top PGA Championship Driving-Distance Chart
Rory McIlroy was the PGA Tour's biggest hitter in 2023, but even he couldn't hang with a pair of the LIV Golf League's longest drivers at Valhalla
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘Man For The People’ - Watch Classy DeChambeau Ensure Young Fan Gets His Golf Ball At PGA Championship
After throwing his golf ball to a young fan, which was intercepted by an older gentleman, DeChambeau waited until it was returned to its rightful owner as he battled it out at Valhalla
By Matt Cradock Published
-
'Definitely Disappointing' - Bryson DeChambeau Reacts To PGA Championship Near-Miss
The 2020 US Open champion shot a final round 64 to finish just one stroke shy of Xander Schauffele at Valhalla
By Elliott Heath Published