A ranked list of the 10 highest-paid caddies in the world currently

A ranked list of the 10 highest-paid caddies in the world currently

Claudia Kogi
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:27 PM

Although some may presume a caddie's job to be somewhat unglamorous, it does come with many benefits when you think of it. Furthermore, they are equally influential in any golf game, even though they do not take apart a player. But the question, however, is who are the highest-paid caddies in the PGA tour?

Highest-paid caddies of all time
A ranked list of the 10 highest-paid caddies in the world currently. Photo: Morsa Images (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Golf caddies help make the sport more enjoyable and engaging for the players. Like a mentor, a golf caddy can make or break a round. As a result, golfers or players often take their total time before deciding who to make their caddy.

What are the responsibilities of caddies?

Each PGA tour often brings enormous sums of money to the winning golfer. And, of course, this is always great news for the caddies as they get paid too. However, why do they get paid? Here is a list of some of the duties and responsibilities caddies carry out to ensure the smooth running of the entire match or game.

  • Making the bunkers and sand traps easier to play in by raking them
  • Measuring the distance to the pin
  • Fixing a divot
  • Removing the pins in the hole
  • Advising their golfer on which club they should use

Top 10 highest-paid caddies as of 2023

For starters, this kind of job has no fixed or basic salary, as it highly depends on the boss or, in this case, the golfer. The specified share that each caddy gets is often according to the golfer's position in the tournament. If the golfer wins the set prize money, their caddy is entitled to 10% of the amount besides the agreed salary. As per various online sources, here are some of the highest-paid caddies.

10. Albin Choi - $278,085

Highest-paid caddies on PGA Tour
Sung Jae (L) celebrates a 55' birdie putt with Albin Choi (R) on the 18th green during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on 7 March 2020 in Orlando, Florida. Photo: Kevin C Cox
Source: Getty Images

Albin Choi is among the few players on the list that are not only caddies but also players a well. Currently caddying for I'm Sung-Jae, Albin is making great money. However, many golf fans and players on the PGA tour often claim that he could easily be the player making it on the PGA Tour.

But as said, a journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, which is the case here. Although Choi was an incredible and promising young golfer, he experienced some struggles making it on the PGA tour and ended up being a caddy.

9. Marc Kelly - $330,100

Highest-paid caddies ever
Former astronaut Mark Kelly waits to play on the seventh hole during a pro-am before the Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston on 3 September 2015 in Norton, Massachusetts. Photo: Keyur Khamar
Source: Getty Images

The relationship between Marc Kelly and his golfer Marc Leishman is one unbreakable bond that has lasted for over a decade. Most of the time, when a player and a caddy have such a strong relationship, then you know something is going right.

Besides, Kelly and Leishman are allies and often quality time together outside and in the field. Their unbreakable caddy-player relationship is worth envy as it is not breaking anytime soon.

8. Josh Cassell - $343,470

Highest-paid caddies as of 2023
Daniel Berger (L) and Josh Cassell (R) pose for photos during a practice round prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on 22 September 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. Photo: Andrew Redington
Source: Getty Images

When you spend so much time with certain people, you develop some things in common. For instance, one can start speaking like them, walking, running, and even more intriguing, some would even begin to take after one another.

This is the case with Josh Cassell and his golfer Daniel Berger. Even though Daniel Berger is way younger than his caddy, he is undoubtedly doing a great job managing the PGA Tour. Josh has been caddying since 200 and has had the opportunity to work for other professionals like Billy Horschel, Jason Dufner, John Senden, Geoff Ogilvy, and Paul Gow.

7. Kessler Karain - $346,500

Highest-paid caddies
Patrick Reed (R) prepares to play with Kessler Karain (L) during the delayed third round of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic on 29 January 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo: David Cannon
Source: Getty Images

Although caddying for Patrick Reed may not seem like Karain's dream job, it has worked out quite well for him. However, before stepping in, Patrick Reed's wife had been caddying for him before she left to be a full-time homemaker.

Following that, Karain has since caddied for the world-class golfer Patrick Reed. However, in early 202, he got on the limelight's lousy side after being banned from the President's Cup for shoving a spectator after a heated banter.

6. Tim Tucker - $353,801

Top 10 highest-paid caddies
Bryson Dechambeau (R) lines up with Tim Tucker (L) in his match against Antoine Rozner during the first round of the World Golf Championships on 24 March 2021 in Austin, Texas. Photo: Michael Reaves
Source: Getty Images

Considering how picky and specific Bryson Dechambeau often is, it takes a particular person to caddy for him, and that is none other than Tim Tucker. Although the two professionals have also had their share of issues to the point where Tim left Bryson's bag for two years, they still found a way of coming back together.

In fact, Bryson Dechambeau claimed that Tucker was the only caddy he trusted to calm him down whenever needed—more like a stuck-together kind of relationship.

5. Adam Hayes - $374,625

Highest-paid caddies ever
Jon Rahm(L) celebrates a birdie with Adam Hayes (R) on the 18th green during the third round of the HNA Open de France at Le Golf National on 30 June 2018 in Paris, France. Photo: Warren Little
Source: Getty Images

If you are a die-hard golf fan, Jon Rahm's name definitely rings a bell. He is among the most decorated golfer in the world, winning numerous awards and titles thanks to his committed and consistent caddy, Adam Hayes.

He has been a vital, if not integral, part of Jon Rahm's successful career, so he is a well-respected caddy on the PGA Tour. Aside from Jon, he has also worked for professional golfers like Vaughan Taylor, Jason Duffner, Russell Henley, and Ben Crane.

He is incredible at his job, and that is depicted by the rising Jon Rahm to the PGA Tour leaderboard. The pair has been recognised globally twice, in 2016 and early 2023.

4. Paul Tesori - $417,595

Highest-paid caddies on PGA Tour
Webb Simpson(R) and Paul Tesori (L) prepare to play a shot on the 10th hole during the second round of Travelers Championship on 24 June 2022 in Cromwell, Connecticut. Photo: Michael Reaves
Source: Getty Images

Paul Tesori and famous golfer Webb Simpson have one of the strongest and longest player-caddy relationships. As a pair, they have won the 2012 US Open, 2018 Players Championships, and 23 PGA Tour wins.

Aside from Webb, Paul has caddied for other professional golf players like Jerry Kelly, Sean O'Hair, and Vijay Singh. However, he has stayed with Webb the longest.

3. Austin Johnson - $472,600

Highest-paid caddies ever
Dustin Johnson (R) walks with Austin Johnson (L) on the first fairway during the third round of the 2021 US Open on 19 June 2021 in San Diego, California. Photo: Sean M Haffey
Source: Getty Images

Well, imagine your siblings being by your side whenever things get tough, or you need further guidance. It is such a nice feeling, especially if the two of you know your way around what exactly you are doing. This is the case with caddy Austin Johnson and his brother, Dustin Johnson.

The pair have been partners since 2013 and have remained the most successful brothers in Pro Golf. Besides, they have won nine tournaments, including Dustin's first major at the 2016 US Open at Oakmont, which crowned Austin as PGA Tour Caddie of the Year for 2016.

2. Jonathan Jakovac - $486,825

Highest-paid caddies on PGA tour
Collin Morikawa (R) waits on a fairway with Jonathan Jakovac (L)during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational on 2 March 2023 in Orlando, Florida. Photo: Richard Heathcote
Source: Getty Images

Jonathan Jakovac is the second highest-paid caddy on the list working beside the up-and-coming golfer Collin Morikawa. Collin Morikawa is a renowned athlete in the discipline, having bagged Tour victories, including the PGA Championship title.

He had no plans of being a caddy as he had such a keen interest in the sport. However, he failed to make it and instead decided to take up the role of caddying, with his first golfer being Ryan Moore. The pair stayed together for almost seven and a half years.

1. Jimmy Johnson - $502,851

Highest-paid PGA caddies
Jimmy Johnson (L) poses with Justin Thomas (R) of team United States prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on 22 September 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. Photo: Andrew Redington
Source: Getty Images

Jimmy Johnson is currently caddying for the professional golf guru Justin Thomas. One can tell from his earnings that he is one experienced sportsperson. He was bred in Dallas, Texas, and even played golf at the University of North Texas.

Since taking up the role of caddying, Thomas has had a successful career rising to the top ranks and bagging up to 13 PGA Tour titles. Prior to working with Justin Thomas, he had also worked with other professional athletes like Adam Scott, Charles Howell, Steve Stricker, and Nick Price. As of 2023, Jimmy Johnson is regarded as one of the best caddies in the world.

Being a caddie on the PGA Tour is no mean task but it becomes enjoyable once you get used. Nevertheless, these people are as valuable as coaches, managers, and trainers in various team sports like soccer and basketball. Therefore, seeing some of these highest-paid caddies lavishly living should not be shocking.

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Claudia Kogi photo
Claudia Kogi
Claudia Kogi is a Kenyan content creator with over 3 years of experience. Claudia joined Sportsbrief.com as a writer in January 2022, covering sports and relatable content.
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