C’mon, let’s quickly run down to our nearest golf course and start dispensing unsolicited advice with the hope that we discover the next Rory McIlroy and get included in his entourage.
Golf attracts some of the most lucrative sponsors around and the prize money reflects that – Jordan Spieth was awarded a check for just over €1.6 million for winning the US Open.
But it isn’t just the lads swinging the clubs who are well compensated for their work, the guys polishing them up and handing it to them earn a nice wage if their employer is contending.
Forbes has put together a list of the highest earning caddies on the PGA Tour in 2014, and the figures are mind blowing.
Take a look at the top ten:
10. Craig Connelly (Martin Kaymer) – €555,000
9. Lance Bennett (Matt Kuchar) – €580,000
8. Andy Sanders (Jimmy Walker) – €605,000
7. Neil Wallace (Sergio Garcia) – €620,000
6. Mike ‘Fluff’ Cowan (Jim Fuyrk) – €640,000
5. Mark Fulcher (Justin Rose) – €645,000
4. Gareth Lord (Henrik Stenson) – €650,000
3. Ted Scott (Bubba Watson) – €800,000
2. JP Fitzgerald (Rory McIlroy) – €1.3m
1. Micah Fugitt (Billy Horschel) – €1.4m
Those fees are fairly astronomical considering the work of a caddy. Granted, they form bonds with their golfers but there is likely a lot of people on the tour who could fulfill almost identical roles for the top players.
And don’t think caddies are just saving their money prudently – Henrik Stenson’s man bought himself a Ferrari last year.
Micah Fugitt actually responded to the list and thinks Rory’s number two could have earned a bit more than he did.
That number is close, but a little high. JP probably out earned me if his # is correct. Thank you @BillyHo_Golf https://t.co/mzXNA2hjEv
— Micah Fugitt (@MicahFugitt) June 22, 2015
That was last year’s list, and although we aren’t even halfway through 2015, it already looks like Michael Greller will be the highest earning caddy this year. Jordan Spieth has already won about €7m on the tour so far this season so his bagman is set to get a massive check at the year’s end.
What makes that story even greater is that until last year, Greller was a secondary school maths teacher. Safe to say he is glad he took a punt on that particular young golfer.
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