Masters Caddies Earn Record Prize Money Payouts In 2026
Caddies at the 2026 Masters Tournament are taking home unprecedented earnings this year as Augusta National increased prize money allocations for golf's most prestigious event. The winning caddie, Ted Scott, will receive $450,000—18% of Scottie Scheffler's $2.5 million champion payout—marking the largest single-tournament caddie payout in golf history.
The topic is trending today as final payouts were confirmed following Sunday's dramatic finish. Golf fans and sports analysts are discussing the growing recognition of caddies' crucial role in professional success. Augusta National quietly adjusted its prize distribution structure last winter to better reflect modern compensation standards.
Under the new formula, caddies for top-10 finishers earn between 8-10% of their player's winnings, up from 5-7% in previous years. Runner-up caddie John Wood will collect $220,000 from Ludvig Åberg's $1.2 million prize. Even caddies for players missing the cut receive $5,000—double the 2025 amount.
The changes come amid broader debates about fair compensation in professional golf. PGA Tour caddies typically earn base salaries plus 5-10% of winnings, but majors have traditionally offered lower percentages. Social media erupted with support for the increases, with many fans calling it "long overdue" given caddies' 60-hour tournament workweeks.
Augusta National hasn't publicly commented on the adjustments, maintaining its tradition of keeping financial details private. However, multiple caddies confirmed the new percentages to sports reporters during this week's tournament. The move follows similar prize bumps at the U.S. Open and PGA Championship last season.
Industry experts note the changes reflect golf's increasing revenue from media rights and sponsorships. The Masters' total purse grew to $20 million this year, up 25% from 2025. With LIV Golf offering competitive caddie packages, traditional tournaments face pressure to improve compensation.
Caddies interviewed Sunday night expressed gratitude for the increased earnings, which many said would help cover healthcare costs and retirement savings. The payouts are particularly impactful given most caddies work as independent contractors without benefits. Several noted they'll use the money for family needs after a grueling tournament week.
The record payouts conclude a Masters week that saw dramatic play amid challenging weather conditions. While fans celebrated Scheffler's victory, many are equally pleased to see the often-overlooked caddies receiving proper recognition—both in prestige and paycheck.
