The spotlight is always on Scottie Scheffler, but the person who truly shapes each shot is the man behind him – caddie Ted Scott. This professional has been instrumental in securing titles and making decisions under pressure. During a conversation in the “Ask The Expert” episode hosted by Golf Digest, Scott revealed what he considers to be the most “difficult” aspect of his job on the PGA Tour.
“Dealing with a person,” Ted said. “You know, human beings are complicated, especially in high-stress situations. As a caddie, you are present in the most stressful moments of a player’s life, listening and trying to solve problems, and sometimes, we ourselves are the problem.”
The relationship between Scott and Scheffler is an emotional rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs. In 2023, when Scheffler faced difficulties, Scott kept morale high with light conversations and constant reminders of past successes. His calmness has been an anchor in the most tense situations. A clear example of this occurred during the final round at Quail Hollow, where Scheffler got off to a rough start with his game, but a calm conversation with Scott at the 10th tee helped him reset his mindset. After that exchange, Scheffler made a great drive and stabilized his game, embarking on an impressive comeback that led him to victory.
In 2022, the strategy that Scheffler adopted on the 12th hole of Augusta National, largely due to Ted, was crucial for his victory at the Masters. The same applies to the Players Championship, where Scott’s advice allowed Scheffler to make a two-putt instead of three on hole 17.
However, even the best caddies face challenges and can make costly mistakes for the players. A memorable incident occurred in June 2023, at the Memorial Tournament, when a misstep by Ted resulted in frustration for Scheffler and two emotional outbursts throughout the week. Before the round, Ted observed other players reading a difficult putt on the par-3 12th hole and assumed it wouldn’t have much break, failing to make the read himself. He told Scheffler that the putt was on the “right edge.” When Scottie attempted the 10-foot putt, he missed by a considerable margin due to a completely different break.
Another memory of Scott’s was when he worked with Bubba Watson. He recalled an episode where Bubba was apprehensive about the crowd at Innisbrook. “The tee was way left, near the public. I said, ‘Let’s put the bag here, where you don’t have to be near strangers.’” However, an old marshal was standing exactly where the par 3 was located, holding a sign. Frustrated with the situation, Scott asked the man to move, but he refused. In a moment of frustration, Scott took an action he later regretted. “I asked him to move. He said, ‘I was instructed to stay here and I won’t move.’ So, I grabbed the sign and threw it aside and said, ‘Go over there!’ Then, I went back and apologized to him. That was the most embarrassing moment of my career because of my frustration. I’m very sorry!”
Clearly, Ted Scott’s job is demanding and often undervalued amid all the pomp of the sport. It is only fair that he is well compensated for it.
As for the numbers, most caddies receive a modest base salary, but someone like Scott, who works with an elite player like Scheffler, can accumulate millions each season, primarily through a share of tournament winnings. Since joining Scheffler in the 2021/22 season, Scott has amassed a fortune, with reports suggesting his earnings may be in the millions. In 2025, he earned around $1.9 million, much of it stemming from Scheffler’s victories, including the Open Championship, where Scott received about $310,000 as part of the typical 10% commission on the win. His total earnings in 2025 surpassed the average $1.73 million per season of PGA Tour players, highlighting how lucrative the caddie profession can be at the highest level with a dominant player.
The year 2024 was exceptional for Scott. Based on the standard pay structure for caddies (10% for wins, 7% for top-10 finishes, and 5% for other results), he earned around $5.2 million, a result of Scottie’s remarkable season. Ted Scott, therefore, is not just a caddie; he is one of the pillars of Scheffler’s success, balancing pressure and challenges while navigating the glamour and complexity of the professional golf world.
This article first appeared on [Apito Final](https://apitofinal.pt/).
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