Category: Top Tours

The prize money in golf has risen rapidly, especially in recent years. Provided they are successful, golfers win millions in winnings. But they don’t earn them alone: they are always accompanied by their caddies, who are also entitled to a share of the winnings. As a rule, the caddies are entitled to a fixed share of the prize money: ten per cent if they win, seven per cent for the top 10 and five per cent if they make the cut. Bryan Kopsick, PGA Tour caddie, has now revealed what he earned and what he spent last season.

This is how the caddie’s earnings are made up

Bryan Kopsick works as a caddie for Ben Silverman, a 36-year-old Canadian who is coming off his best season on the PGA Tour and is ranked 110th in the money list with earnings of more than $1.2 million. On X (formerly Twitter) he wrote: ‘How much are PGA Tour caddies paid?’ His calculation includes Silverman’s earnings, which amount to 1,262,599 US dollars from 24 events played. According to his calculation, he is entitled to eight per cent of the prize money per event, which in this case is 101,007.92 US dollars. In addition, he earns 2,000 US dollars per event. His total income is therefore 149,007.92 US dollars. He adds: ‘This does not include sponsorships/off course income OR travel expenses.’

How much are PGA Tour caddies paid?

Ben’s 2024 earnings – $1,262,599
Events played – 24

$1,262,599 x .08 = $101,007.92
24 events x $2,000 = $48,000.00

Total on course earnings $149,007.92

This does not include sponsorship/off course income OR travel expenses

Ask whatever

— Bryan K (@InvestingCaddy) November 2, 2024

The fact that Kopsick is not paid according to the 5/7/10 per cent rule is due to the fact that Ben Silverman is a ‘great guy’. At the end of the day, it is up to the players what they want to pay their caddies. However, he has to deduct around 50,000 US dollars in travelling and professional expenses from the approximately 150,000 US dollars. In turn, he can add income that he generates through sponsorship. However, there is no exact figure here.

‘We don’t do it for the money’

Kopsick also admits that the figures mentioned are from a very good year. In previous years, Silverman was still at home on the Korn Ferry Tour and had far lower profits (2021 – 74,890 US dollars, 2022 – 23,936 US dollars, 2023 – 522,828 US dollars). The shares Kopsick was entitled to can be easily calculated based on his presentation above: Significantly lower earnings.

If he worked on a first-class golf course, he could also earn up to 100,000 US dollars. However, if the conditions here are not ideal, it would quickly remain at 40,000 to 60,000 US dollars. The caddie also argues: ‘It’s hard, but we don’t do it for the money. It’s extremely rewarding to try and help someone succeed at what they’re truly good at.’ He also says he has ‘the coolest job in the world’ and can eat ice cream the night before a competition despite his job in sport.

The World Wide Technology Championship is set to take place at the El Cardonal at Diamante in Los Cabos, Mexico. Part of the PGA Tour, this tournament offers a $7.2 million prize purse with Erik van Rooyen as the reigning champion. The course has a par of 72.

PGA Tour Tee Times for British Players

Martin Laird, representing Scotland, will tee off in the opening round at 06:30 alongside David Skinns from England and Carl Yuan from China. Their second round is scheduled for 11:05. Luke Donald, hailing from England, begins his first round at 07:36 with Troy Merritt from the USA and Seung-Yul Noh from South Korea. In the second round, they will start at 112:11. Ben Taylor, another player from England, starts his first round at 07:47 accompanied by Vincent Whaley from the USA and Brandon Wu from the USA. Their second round is set for 12:22. Danny Willett from England begins his tournament at 11:05 along with Tim Wilkinson from New Zealand and Rico Hoey from the USA. Their morning round is scheduled for 06:30 the next day. Harry Hall, also from England, tees off at 11:38 with Cameron Young from the USA and Austin Eckroat also from the USA for the first round. Their second round tees off at 07:03.

The World Wide Technology Championship is set to take place at El Cardonal at Diamante in Los Cabos, Mexico. This tournament on the PGA Tour features a par-72 course and offers a prize purse of $7.2 million. The current titleholder is Erik van Rooyen.

PGA Tour Tee Times of American Players

Matt Kuchar will start alongside Luke List and Ryan Brehm, both from the USA. Their first round is scheduled for 07:14, followed by the next round at 11:49. Hayden Springer, paired with South Africans Garrick Higgo and Chandler Phillips from the USA, tees off at 06:30, with the second round at 11:05. Joseph Bramlett, alongside fellow Americans Josh Teater and Zac Blair, begins his tournament at 06:41, with a follow-up round at 11:16. Kevin Tway will be accompanied by Sam Ryder and Pierceson Coody, both from the USA. Their opening round is at 06:52, and they will continue at 11:27. Chez Reavie teams up with J.J. Spaun and Adam Schenk, all from the USA, with their initial tee time at 07:03, followed by a second round at 11:38.