Scottie Scheffler had to make a late change at the BMW Championship, but the adjustment hardly slowed him down. With longtime caddie Ted Scott back home in Louisiana for a family emergency, Scheffler leaned on Michael Cromie, the regular bagman for Chris Kirk, to step in for the week.
Cromie might not have been the familiar presence fans are used to seeing alongside Scheffler, but he delivered. The duo found instant chemistry as the world No. 1 marched his way to yet another PGA Tour victory-his fifth of the season-by outlasting Robert MacIntyre in Maryland.
A Four-Day Payday to Remember
Here’s where the story takes a twist: Scheffler’s victory was worth $3.6 million in prize money. By tradition, a caddie’s cut is about 10 percent. That means Cromie likely pocketed around $360,000 for four days of work-an amount that outshines what many full-time tour pros will make all year.
To put it in perspective, Chris Kirk, Cromie’s usual boss, earned just under $3 million this season before missing out on the BMW field. That left Cromie free to take Scheffler’s bag for the week. By Sunday evening, the substitute had already secured a paycheck larger than what he’d made the entire season combined.
Scheffler, meanwhile, praised the fill-in’s steady hand. “He’s a guy I can trust,”Scheffler said after the win.“He works hard, he does his prep work, and he was an easy guy for me to trust out there.” The world No. 1 credited Cromie for keeping him calm when the back nine got tight, adding that their communication helped close the tournament strong.
One Week, $360K-and the Chance for More at East Lake
This isn’t just a feel-good caddie tale-it’s also a reminder of how lucrative golf can be for those lucky enough to walk inside the ropes with the game’s elite. Ted Scott, Scheffler’s regular caddie, has reportedly earned over $5 million in the past few years thanks to his player’s dominance. Cromie just got a taste of that lifestyle in one unforgettable week.
Looking ahead, the question is whether Cromie will get another shot at the spotlight. The Tour Championship at East Lake carries a jaw-dropping $10 million first prize, but it remains unclear whether Scott will return to Scheffler’s side or if Cromie will be called on again. Either way, Scheffler heads into Atlanta as the favorite, and his caddie-whoever it is-could be in line for another historic payday.
For Cromie, though, even if this was just a one-time gig, it’s one he’ll never forget. Four days, one victory, and a paycheck most golfers can only dream about-it’s the kind of break that proves in golf, sometimes timing is everything.
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