TLDR:
- Caddies of pros who don’t make the cut at the Masters do not get paid directly by the tournament.
- Augusta National pays every professional who competed in the Masters, even those who didn’t make the cut.
Key Elements:
One of the most renowned competitions in professional golf is the Masters Tournament held at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club. The tournament draws the best players in the world along with their caddies, with a $20 million prize purse up for grabs.
Caddies at the Masters do not receive direct payment from the tournament. Their salaries are negotiated with the golfers they work for, and they receive a share of the winnings if the golfer performs well. If the player fails to make the cut, their caddies do not receive any share of the winnings.
However, Augusta National now pays every professional who competed in the Masters, even those who didn’t make the cut. As of 2021, players outside the top 50 still earned $10,000, and caddies of such players also earned about $500 if they have a “standard” deal laid out.
Caddying at the Masters is considered a unique experience, with caddies being treated exceptionally well during their time at Augusta. Despite the demanding nature of the tournament, which involves course scouting, practice rounds, and four days of actual competition, caddies still enjoy working at the prestigious event.
The prize money earned by the golfers is split between the caddies based on their pros’ finish, with higher percentages going to caddies of players who finish higher up in the standings.
Conclusion:
Overall, caddies at the Masters do not get paid directly by the tournament if their pros fail to make the cut. However, with Augusta National now paying every professional who competes, there is still some compensation for those who do not progress to the later stages of the tournament. The experience of caddying at Augusta remains unique and rewarding for those involved, despite the challenges and uncertainties regarding payment.