The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship prize money has increased at an extraordinary rate over the past few years, with over $10 million on offer in 2024 compared to $4.5 million in 2021.
For many years before that, there was much more of a gradual increase in the total prize pot, having only reached seven figures for the first time in 1990. While the payout figure has generally climbed over the years, it did also briefly fall in 2013 before a 50% jump to $3.5 million in 2015.
Now at a record $10.4 million – $400,000 more than last year – it is not only the winning player who benefits from historic levels but also their caddie, too.
It is widely believed that an LPGA Tour player’s caddie will earn a bonus of anywhere between 5% and 10% per week, depending on how high up the golfer finishes, while some partnerships also have a flat-rate written into their contracts. In the case of the winner, it is not unreasonable to say that the looper will take 10% of their check.
In 2023, Ruoning Yin claimed $1.5 million following her one-stroke victory over 2024 US Women’s Open champion, Yuka Saso. She did so with Jon Lehman as her caddie – a veteran bagman she had only known a matter of weeks – and he likely picked up a $150,000 bonus on top of having his expenses covered throughout the tournament.
The purse is going 🆙!There’s now $10,400,000 up for grabs at the @KPMGWomensPGA 🏆That brings the full season total on the LPGA Tour to more than $125 million, a more than 75% increase since 2021! 📈 pic.twitter.com/ybeVxgx2VzJune 18, 2024
Meanwhile, the 2024 edition is offering the biggest prize purse in the specific Major’s history at $10.4 million – consequently slotting in as the third highest total this season behind the US Women’s Open ($12m) and the CME Group Tour Championship ($11m).
The eventual KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner will take home $1.56 million, leaving the victorious caddie to earn in the region of $156,000.
It will not only be the winning on-course assistant who receives life-changing money, however, with the percentage for loopers elsewhere ranging around the 5-7% mark – depending on the respective pair’s agreement. Even those caddying for players who just miss out on lifting the trophy could earn a high five or low six-figure sum.
LPGA Tour commissioner Mollie…
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