The phenomenal alliance between Ted Scott and Scottie Scheffler, which has been making waves in the golfing world, has a backstory that’s as intriguing as their performance. Last year, the duo’s partnership ascended to new heights as Scheffler, the world’s number one golfer, swept the PGA Tour, amassing a whopping $60 million.
Such a lucrative season also brought a sizeable payday for Scott, who pocketed over $5 million. This sum placed him well above many top-tier professionals on the Tour. The Scheffler-Scott partnership has been lauded widely, with many attributing Scheffler’s rise to global golfing prominence to the strategic influence of Bubba Watson’s ex-caddie.
Yet, before this partnership was solidified, Scott had some reservations about teaming up with Scheffler. The young golfer’s temperament, particularly during underwhelming putting performances, had been known to get the best of him. This was a concern Scott considered seriously before deciding to take up the role of Scheffler’s caddie.
In an episode of Full Swing, Scott recalled his departure from Bubba Watson in November 2021. He spoke about his desire for a fresh professional start after realizing that his growth with Watson had reached a standstill. Upon being tipped off by a friend about a call from a promising player, he began considering a partnership with Scheffler, whom he had only met briefly at the New Orleans tournament. Scott remembered Scheffler as a feisty player and was unsure about working with him due to his attitude. However, Scheffler’s willingness to work on this issue was a deciding factor for Scott to proceed with the partnership.
The decision has proven to be a fruitful one. Scott, who had enjoyed significant success with Watson, unexpectedly became the indispensable aide to one of the most dominant golfers since the era of Tiger Woods. Interestingly, Scott’s first encounter with Scheffler’s prowess on the green was during the 2021 Zurich Classic, where Scheffler and Watson had teamed up and finished with a score of 16 under at TPC Louisiana.
In a 2024 interview on the Pardon My Take podcast, Scheffler shed light on his rapport with Scott. He also humorously admitted to having a helper manage his finances due to his inability to keep track of them himself. He revealed that this assistant would inform him weekly about the payments made to Scott. This candid revelation only adds another layer of interest to the evolving saga of the Scheffler-Scott partnership.
In the end, the story of Scott’s transition from working with Watson to becoming Scheffler’s caddie is more than just a fascinating tale. It’s a testament to the power of change, adaptability, and the impact of a well-chosen partnership on a sportsman’s career trajectory.