Augusta National is giving the other majors a run for their money, thanks to a substantial increase in the Masters Tournament’s purse this year. According to the latest report, the purse has increased to $21 million, up from $1 million from the 2024 Masters. Keeping in mind the increase, the winner will receive a significantly higher monetary prize ($4.2M) for their hard work. While the golfers will be vying for the iconic green jacket along with that huge monetary prize, their caddies will make substantial money as well.
While we do not exactly know how much caddies will take home, we know how much the winner’s caddie will do, and it’s a lot. Professional caddies, for instance, usually receive a weekly salary from their player and often earn a percentage of the player’s winnings. While caddies and players can negotiate their own payment agreements, a common payout structure in tournaments is the standard “10-7-5” model, as explained by former PGA Tour caddie Michael Collins.
According to Michael Collins in a 2021 interview, “If the guy makes the cut, the standard is 10-7-5 — 10% for a win, 7% for a top 10, 5% for everything else.” But, according to Collins, the caddies also have the option to demand a lower tournament payout for a higher weekly cheque. If we’re going by Michael Collins’s statement, then we have an idea of how much the winning golfer’s caddie will make this year.
Considering the winner’s payout for the 2025 Masters is $4.2 million, the winning golfer’s caddie will earn approximately $420,000. So, if Rory McIlroy continues with his performance and the win, his caddie, Harry Diamond, will make approximately $420,000. Interestingly, it will be significantly higher than the 2025 Masters 14th-place finisher. In addition to their earnings, the winning caddie at the Masters can request to keep the white jumpsuit they wore during the tournament.
The 2024 Masters winner’s caddie earned huge as well. Following Collins’s payout structure, the 2024 Masters winner Scottie Scheffler‘s caddie, Tom Scott, likely made around $360,000 for his work at the Masters last year. That was more than those who finished outside the top 20 at the 2024 Masters. However, it isn’t a great deal for all the Masters caddies, and we have the numbers to back it up.
Will the caddies of the golfers who missed the cut at the Masters 2025 receive money?
According to the latest Augusta National purse update, the players who did not qualify for the final 36 holes will still receive $25,000. So, if the caddies and the golfers are following Collins’ payout structure, then the caddies of these golfers will earn approximately $2,500. But this isn’t at all profitable for the caddies, however. Take into consideration that they are responsible for their own expenses, including airfare, hotel, car rentals, food, and other costs, according to Michael Collins during a 2021 Green Light with Chris Long podcast appearance. Interestingly, until last year, the players who missed the cut at the Masters didn’t receive any cash prize, and neither did their caddies.
$4.2 million to this year’s winner of #TheMasters.
Solo fourth gets a million and change.
Solo 37th six figures. pic.twitter.com/w13PYet8z5
— Brentley Romine (@BrentleyGC) April 12, 2025
According to Michael Bestor, Kevin Streelman’s caddie, the expenses on the PGA Tour can be outrageous. According to his 2022 interview, he said, “it’s about $50,000 a year in expenses, and on Korn Ferry it’s about cut down in half, $25,000. If the player’s making $100,000-200,000 you’re making 7 percent of that. You’re just not making enough money to cover that stuff like hotel, gas, and food.” But Bestor also said that for those considering a long-term career in caddying, it’s important to view their time as an investment and to focus on the bigger picture.
But everyone deserves acknowledgment for their hard work. So, will the caddie’s purse increase in the future? We will see!
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