US Women's Open: Maja Stark's Caddie's Earnings Revealed
In the world of women's golf, the US Women's Open is the tournament to beat, not just for the competition, but for the eye-popping prize money as well.
The prize pot has seen a massive surge, nearly doubling in the last four years. The 2025 edition of this prestigious Major at Erin Hills boasted a whopping $12m prize money pool. In a nail-biting finale, Maja Stark triumphed over Nelly Korda to clinch her first Major title and pocketed a cool $2.4m.
Yet, Stark's hefty winnings won't be all hers. Her trusty caddie, Jeff Brighton, is set to pocket a decent chunk. Typically, the caddie shares in the loot, snagging 10% of the prize money. So, Brighton's expected take is a decent $240,000, on top of a probable base payment to cover his expenses.
But it's not just the winning caddies who rake in the benefits. Players making it to the top 10 in tournaments usually reward their caddies with 7% of their prize money. Those whose players make it past the cut line get 5%.
Before the tournament began, USGA CEO Mike Whan confirmed that, following the previous year's practice, players who missed the cut at the US Women's Open would still receive a payment. He stated, "If you missed the cut this week, you'll still receive $10,000. I always say that getting into this field is making the cut. There were over 1900 participants vying for one of these 156 tee times."
Even though caddies missing the cut won't be collecting anything close to Brighton, at least they get a small consolation for their early exit.
It's Not Just the Greens that Are Green
In professional golf, caddies often share in the prize money their players win. The typical cut varies, anywhere from 5-10% of a player's earnings. In the case of Maja Stark's win at the 2025 US Women's Open, her caddie Jeff Brighton could have walked away with up to $240,000, assuming standard rates. However, these figures are usually kept under wraps, with exact earnings unavailable in most cases.
Golf, like other sports, isn't just about the players; caddies also reap the rewards. Jeff Brighton, Maja Stark's caddie in the 2025 US Women's Open, could have earned up to $240,000 from Stark's winnings, if standard rates applied.
