Apr 17, 2026; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Ben Griffin walks up the 16th fairway with his caddie during the second round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Apr 17, 2026; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Ben Griffin walks up the 16th fairway with his caddie during the second round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Behind the scenes of the glamorous professional golf circuit, be it the PGA Tour or otherwise, lies an intricate web of major financial expenses that every player must independently manage.
Tour professional Ben Griffin recently shed essential light on how player earnings directly impact the financial livelihoods of their bagmen.
During an appearance on a Golf Digest Q&A video on YouTube, Griffin explained the baseline costs, stating, "So caddies get paid a salary, can range anywhere from a couple thousand dollars to maybe upwards of 5,000 as a base and then a percentage on top."
Apr 17, 2026; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Ben Griffin walks up the 16th fairway with his caddie during the second round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Apr 17, 2026; Hilton Head, South Carolina, USA; Ben Griffin walks up the 16th fairway with his caddie during the second round of the RBC Heritage golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
He further elaborated on standard weekly performance rates, noting, "So I know majority players pay their caddies somewhere between 7 and 8% per week."
The ultimate financial bonus occurs during a victory, as Griffin added, "And then a 10% has always been kind of the standard for a win for a caddy."
These performance percentages mean that a lucrative season for a professional golfer automatically secures massive financial windfalls for their hard-working looper.
The baseline salary serves as a crucial cushion, covering travel expenses and ensuring caddies survive even during weeks when players miss cuts.
Staggering Realities of Elite Tour Earnings
If the marquee player has a lead in the tour standings, the loyal bagman always receives much more money than the vast majority of fully exempt tour pros.
For instance, the faithful bagman of Scottie Scheffler, Ted Scott, reportedly earned around $5.3 million in performance bonuses throughout the historic 2024 season, when Scheffler earned around $55 million.
Indeed, that amazing figure exceeded the playing winnings of some highly renowned, world-class PGA Tour pros in that particular year.
Similarly, Tommy Fleetwood’s veteran loop assistant Ian Finnis secured a highly lucrative payout in 2025, banking an estimated $1.59 million as his player consistently excelled.
On the other hand, it is a completely different story when it comes to loopers working for golfers having difficulties making the weekly cut. Sharing a realistic look on X in 2025, pro caddie Bryan Kopsick revealed a total of $149,007 in on-course earnings during the 2024 season, while supporting player Ben Silverman.
Kopsick simultaneously detailed the intense financial pressures behind the scenes, highlighting that his total travel and professional expenses for the year reached approximately $50,000, which was $2000 more than his base salary of $48,000.
However, with tournament purses increasing to astronomical sums, there could be a possibility of a dispute arising between the two parties concerning their performance percentages. However, that is something to talk about as and when the situation arises, and hopefully, it doesn't.
Trending slideshow: Chevron Championship Winners and Prize Money Over the Last 20 Years
Aditi Singh
Chevron Championship Winners and Prize Money Over the Last 20 YearsFrom Karrie Webb’s playoff finish to Lydia Ko’s late surge, this timeline tracks how each edition unfolded and what the winners earned. You will move year by year, seeing how margins shifted, how prize money changed, and how results shaped the Chevron Championship history. Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire/ImagoSeven shots behind entering Sunday, Webb closed with 65 and holed a 116-yard eagle on the 72nd hole to tie Lorena Ochoa at 9-under. She won on the first playoff hole with a birdie. The victory earned $270,000 and marked her seventh and final major title. Imago/Dreamstime$300,000 was awarded after Pressel shot a bogey-free 69 to finish at 3-under and win by one stroke. Starting four shots back, she moved past Suzann Pettersen, who lost a late lead. At 18 years, 10 months, 9 days, she became the youngest modern LPGA major winner and secured her first title. That record was eventually surpassed by Lydia Ko at the 2015 Evian Championship. Icon Sportswire/ImagoLeading or co-leading most of the week, Ochoa closed with a bogey-free 67 to reach 11-under 277 and win by five strokes. She separated from the field with mid-round birdies on Sunday. The win paid $300,000, gave her consecutive majors, and extended her run as World No. 1. Xinhua/ImagoOn the 72nd hole, trailing Kristy McPherson by one, Lincicome reached in two and holed an eagle putt to finish at 9-under 279. She won by one stroke ahead of McPherson and Cristie Kerr. The result earned $300,000 and delivered her first major title. Aflo Sport/Imago$300,000 followed a 13-under 275 total and a one-stroke win over Suzann Pettersen. Tseng’s final round included an early eagle that created separation. At 21, this became her second major title and part of a season in which she added another major and year-end awards. Dreamstime/ImagoTwo shots behind Yani Tseng at the start of the final round, Lewis shot 69 to reach 13-under 275 and win by three as Tseng posted 74. A long par putt on 17 helped secure control. The victory paid $300,000 and marked her first LPGA win and first major. via Dreamstime/ImagoAfter I.K. Kim missed a short par putt to win in regulation, both finished at 9-under 279. Yoo won the playoff on the first extra hole with a birdie putt. The result earned $300,000 and gave her her first major title. Ringo Chiu/ZUMA Press Wire/Imago$300,000 came with a 15-under 273 total and a four-shot margin over Ryu So-yeon. Park led through the weekend and closed without losing position. This was her second major and the first of three consecutive majors that season, after which she moved to World No. 1. Jim Cowsert/Newscom World/ImagoStarting the final round tied with Michelle Wie West, Thompson shot 68 without a bogey to finish at 14-under 274 and win by three. The victory paid $300,000 and marked her first major title at age 19. Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF/Imago$375,000 followed a finish at 9-under 279. Lincicome eagled the 72nd hole to join Stacy Lewis in a playoff and won after multiple extra holes when Lewis made bogey. This gave Lincicome a second title at the ANA Inspiration. Doug Duran/Newscom World/Contra Costa Times/ImagoLydia Ko won the ANA Inspiration at 12-under (276) and earned $390,000. She closed the final round by birdieing the 72nd hole to move ahead. Ko defeated Charley Hull and In Gee Chun by one stroke after Ariya Jutanugarn dropped shots late. The result marked her second major title and second straight major win. Joseph Johnson/Action Plus/ImagoA playoff decided the title, where So Yeon Ryu defeated Lexi Thompson on the first extra hole. Ryu reached 14-under (274) after a bogey-free final round and earned $405,000. The outcome followed a rules penalty applied to Thompson during the final round. Ryu secured the win with a birdie on the par-5 18th in sudden death. Joel Carrett/Imago/AAPAn eight-hole playoff extended into the next day before Pernilla Lindberg secured her first LPGA win and major. She finished at 15-under (273) and earned $420,000. Inbee Park and Jennifer Song were in contention, with Song eliminated earlier. Lindberg birdied the par-4 10th on Monday to close the playoff. Brent Soule/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoJin Young Ko secured her first major title with a total of 10-under (278) and earned $450,000. She held off Mi Hyang Lee by three strokes. Ko closed the round with key birdies, including the 18th hole, to maintain separation. The win moved her to world No. 1 and marked the start of a season with two major titles. Ringo Chiu/Imago/ZUMA Press Wire$465,000 went to Mirim Lee, who won at 15-under (273) after a playoff. She forced extra holes with an eagle on the 18th, where her approach deflected off a temporary structure before a chip-in. Lee then defeated Nelly Korda and Brooke Henderson with a birdie on the first playoff hole. Amy Lemus/ImagoHolding the lead across all four rounds, Patty Tavatanakit finished at 18-under (270) and earned $465,000. She completed her first LPGA win and first major while maintaining control in the final round. Lydia Ko finished two shots behind despite a final-round 62. The result placed Tavatanakit among the rookies to win a major. Aled Hopkins/ImagoJennifer Kupcho won with a total of 14-under (274) and earned $750,000. She entered the final round with a six-shot lead and held off a late challenge to defeat Jessica Korda by two strokes. A record 54-hole score set the margin earlier in the event, and the win became her first LPGA title Daniel Lea/ZUMA Press Wire/imagoA sudden-death playoff decided the championship, where Lilia Vu defeated Angel Yin. Vu reached 10-under (278) with a final-round 68 and earned $765,000. The playoff ended on the first extra hole after Yin’s approach found water. This marked Vu’s first major title at the event’s venue in Texas. Aaron Doster/Imagn Images/ImagoNelly Korda secured her second major title at 13-under (275) and earned $1,200,000. She finished two strokes ahead of Maja Stark. Korda reached the par-5 18th in two shots during the final round and converted for birdie to close the event. The victory extended her run to five consecutive LPGA wins. Aflo Sport/ImagoA five-player playoff concluded the tournament, where Mao Saigo secured her first LPGA win and first major. She finished at 7-under (281) and earned $1,200,000. Saigo defeated Ariya Jutanugarn, Hyo Joo Kim, Ruoning Yin, and Lindy Duncan with a birdie on the first playoff hole. Brian Spurlock/Imago/Icon Sportswire
