Jim “Bones” Mackay has an estimated net worth of $5 million. The legendary golf caddie earned his wealth through a 25-year partnership with Phil Mickelson, a stint as Justin Thomas’s caddie from 2021 to 2024, and a broadcasting career with NBC Sports and Golf Channel. He earns between $500,000 and $1 million annually.
By a Golf Finance Writer | Verified against Celebrity Net Worth, Caddie Hall of Fame records, and PGA Tour earnings data
Most people who watch professional golf recognize the caddie walking alongside the star. Few become celebrities themselves. Jim “Bones” Mackay is one of the rare exceptions. His Jim Mackay net worth of approximately $5 million puts him among the wealthiest caddies in the history of the sport. He did not inherit money or win the lottery. He built it, one tournament at a time, over more than three decades on the PGA Tour.
Mackay spent 25 years on the bag for Phil Mickelson, one of the most successful golfers of his generation. When that partnership ended in 2017, many expected Mackay to fade quietly into retirement. Instead, he pivoted to broadcasting, returned to caddying for Justin Thomas, and then went back to NBC full-time in 2024. His career is a masterclass in professional longevity and strategic reinvention.
This article breaks down exactly how Jim Mackay built his $5 million fortune, what he earns per year, how his income compares to other top caddies, and what he is doing now.
How Much Does Jim Mackay Earn Per Year?
Jim Mackay earns between $500,000 and $1 million per year. That number comes from a combination of his caddie percentage deals, broadcasting salary at NBC, and sponsorship income.
On the PGA Tour, caddies earn a base weekly salary of roughly $1,500 to $4,000. The real money comes from tournament performance bonuses. The standard structure works like this:
| Golfer’s Finish | Caddie Percentage of Winnings |
|---|---|
| Outside top 10 | ~5% |
| Top 10 finish | 6–8% |
| Tournament win | 10% |
When Justin Thomas won the 2022 PGA Championship, the first-place check was $2.7 million. At 10%, Mackay walked away with roughly $270,000 from that single tournament alone.
Over his 25 years with Mickelson, who earned in excess of $80 million in prize money, the percentage structure would have generated substantial annual income for Mackay across 41 PGA Tour wins and 5 major championships.
The Phil Mickelson Years: The Foundation of His Wealth
Jim Mackay’s financial story really begins in 1992. That year, Mickelson hired him ahead of the U.S. Open, and the partnership that followed became one of the longest-running in golf history.
41 Wins and 5 Majors
During their time together, Mickelson won 41 PGA Tour titles and five major championships, including three Masters titles, the 2005 PGA Championship, and the 2013 Open Championship. Mackay was on the bag for every one of those majors except the 2004 Masters.
Each major win comes with a first-place prize that typically ranges from $1.5 million to $3 million depending on the year and event. At 10%, Mackay’s cut from those five majors alone would have totaled hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The FedExCup Bonus Dispute
One notable moment in Mackay’s financial history was a reported dispute over owed earnings. According to sources in the golf community, Mackay was eventually paid $800,000 in owed FedExCup bonuses after a dispute. The resolution confirmed that his earnings were substantial and that he took his financial arrangements seriously.
A 25-Year Relationship Ends
On June 20, 2017, Mickelson and Mackay announced a mutual parting of ways. Mickelson had not won since the 2013 Open Championship, and both parties felt a change was needed. Mickelson said at the time: “Bones is one of the most knowledgeable and dedicated caddies in the world. The next player to work with him will obviously be very lucky.”
The split was considered one of the biggest stories in golf that year, which says a lot about how significant Mackay’s profile had become.
Broadcasting Career: A New Revenue Stream
After leaving Mickelson’s bag, Mackay made a smooth transition to NBC Sports and Golf Channel as an on-course reporter. He debuted at the 2017 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and quickly established himself as one of the most informed voices in golf broadcasting.
Why His Perspective Was Valuable
Mackay brought something rare to the broadcast booth: 25 years of walking the fairways alongside one of the game’s best players. He understood course management, club selection, and the psychology of pressure situations from direct experience. Fans responded well to that kind of practical insight.
His broadcasting salary at NBC is not publicly disclosed, but top on-course reporters at major sports networks typically earn in the $200,000 to $500,000 range annually.
Return to Caddying: The Justin Thomas Partnership
In September 2021, Mackay announced he was returning to full-time caddying, this time for Justin Thomas, a two-time major winner and former world number one.
The partnership produced immediate results. Thomas won the 2022 PGA Championship just months into their work together. Thomas later said he could not have stayed calm during the final round without Mackay’s guidance on the bag.
However, in April 2024, Thomas and Mackay parted ways. Mackay then returned to NBC Sports full-time, where NBC’s executive producer Sam Flood confirmed: “He will be part of NBC Sports for years to come as we’re going to partner for a long time with him.”
Mackay himself added: “It’s great for me and I couldn’t be happier about the situation. In terms of where I am in my life, this is the perfect scenario.”
Jim Mackay Net Worth Compared to Other Top Caddies
Not all caddies come close to Mackay’s level of wealth. Here is some context:
Ted Scott, who caddies for world number one Scottie Scheffler, reportedly earned $2.6 million in 2024 alone, thanks to Scheffler’s historic season. However, Scott’s accumulated net worth over a full career is harder to estimate.
Steve Williams, Tiger Woods’s caddie from 1999 to 2011, is estimated to have accumulated a net worth of around $12 million from their partnership during the most dominant run in golf history.
Mackay sits firmly in the upper tier of career caddie earnings. His $5 million figure reflects steady income over three decades rather than a single windfall, which arguably makes it more durable.
Personal Life and Assets
Jim “Bones” Mackay was born on May 8, 1965, in Redhill, Surrey, England. His family moved to New Smyrna Beach, Florida when he was seven. He learned the game at a local municipal course, cleaning golf carts to earn range ball access.
He attended Columbus College in Georgia, where he played golf, and later worked in the bag room at Columbus’s Green Island Country Club before transitioning to caddying professionally.
Mackay has been married to Jennifer Olsen for over two decades. The couple has two children and lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, where the golf lifestyle fits naturally into the local culture.
His nickname “Bones” was given to him by Fred Couples during a practice round in 1990, a reference to his tall, lean frame at 6 feet 4 inches.
In 2017, he was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame, recognizing a career that most industry observers consider the standard for professional caddies.
What Makes Mackay Worth Paying Attention To
Mackay has built a career that most caddies can only dream about for two reasons: skill and relationship management.
On the skill side, he is known for carrying detailed notes on every course, reading greens precisely, and knowing exactly what club a player needs in high-pressure moments. Mickelson’s quote captures this well: “Bones is the only guy on the golf course who wants me to play well, so why am I going to berate him? He’s working his tail off for me.”
On the relationship side, Mackay maintained professionalism through a 25-year partnership, a high-profile split, and two subsequent career transitions. That kind of consistency is rare in any profession.
FAQs About Jim Mackay Net Worth
What is Jim Mackay net worth in 2025?
Jim Mackay’s estimated net worth is $5 million, built through decades of caddie percentage earnings with Phil Mickelson and Justin Thomas, plus his broadcasting salary at NBC Sports.
How much does Jim Mackay earn per tournament?
Mackay earns 5–10% of a player’s tournament winnings depending on finish position. When Justin Thomas won the 2022 PGA Championship ($2.7 million purse), Mackay earned roughly $270,000 from that event.
Why is Jim Mackay called “Bones”?
Fred Couples gave him the nickname during a 1990 practice round, referring to Mackay’s tall, slim build. The name stuck and became synonymous with his identity on tour.
Is Jim Mackay still caddying?
No. As of 2024, Mackay returned to NBC Sports full-time as an on-course reporter and commentator, ending his active caddying career after parting with Justin Thomas.
Was Jim Mackay inducted into any Hall of Fame?
Yes. Mackay was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame in 2017, recognizing his exceptional 25-year career alongside Phil Mickelson.
Jim Mackay’s Career
Jim Mackay’s net worth of $5 million is the result of a career built on one principle: be genuinely excellent at something most people underestimate. Caddies are easy to overlook. Most casual fans could not name the person carrying the bag. Yet the best ones, the ones who read courses accurately and manage their players through pressure, shape outcomes directly.
Mackay did that for 41 PGA Tour wins across two elite partnerships. He then used the reputation he earned on those fairways to build a second career in broadcasting. Right now, he is one of the most respected voices on NBC’s golf coverage, and according to Sam Flood, he has no plans to go anywhere.
For anyone who follows professional golf, or anyone curious about what it takes to succeed in a role that operates in someone else’s shadow, Jim Mackay’s career is worth paying attention to. The money reflects the work. And the work, it turns out, was extraordinary.
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