A month ago in Atlanta, Rory McIlroy sunk a 14-foot putt on the fourth playoff hole at East Lake Golf Club.
The putt not only won McIlroy the Tour Championship but also the FedExCup. McIlroy's exuberance was clear. It was also clear from his caddy JP Fitzgerald.
Rory McIlroy caddy earnings
McIlroy had just won a combined total of $11.5 million.
Speaking on Wednesday, McIlroy said that he did not have to check his back account to know that the prize money had been deposited. A text message from Fitzgerald informed him.
I think his words were, 'A tsunami just hit my bank account, so thank you very much.'
J.P. got a nice percentage of that, so I knew at that point it was already there.
Usually, a caddy for a pro golfer earns a fee plus 10% of any winnings. Being a caddy for a top golfer can be a lucrative business. During the height of Tiger Woods's powers there was the old cliche that his caddy Steve Williams was the highest-earning New Zealander in sport.
Last month's win for McIlroy meant a payday of around €960,000 for Fitzgerald.
So the total was $1.05 million. I think he was quite happy.
He deserved it. He's a big part of what we do. He was with me when I was No. 210 in the world and when I was No. 1.
Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
