Rory McIlroy: ‘A tsunami just hit my bank account,’ caddy tells golfer

It pays to work for Rory McIlroy.

Just ask his longtime caddy J.P. Fitzgerald, who has pocketed just over $1 million, thanks to the former world No. 1 golfer’s munificence.

Fitzgerald landed the windfall after McIlroy earned a cool $10 million for sealing victory in the FedEx Cup playoffs last month, which he achieved by winning the season-ending Tour Championship – adding another $1.5 million to the Northern Irishman’s prize pot.

Though $1 million of the FedEx Cup jackpot is traditionally deferred to the winning player’s retirement account, Fitzgerald was more than happy with his 10% share.

“I think his words were, ‘A tsunami just hit my bank account, so thank you very much,’” four-time major winner McIlroy quipped ahead of the HSBC Champions event in Shanghai, China.

“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,” the 27-year-old added. “He was with me when I was No. 210 in the world and when I was No. 1.”

Caddy life

Steve Williams, once caddy to Tiger Woods and then Masters champion Adam Scott, was estimated to be worth as much as $20 million. At one time, this was reported to make him New Zealand’s highest-paid sportsman.

Williams’ caddying was enough to fund his passion of Speedway Racing. He founded his own team, appropriately named Caddyshack, and became the national Super Saloon car champion in 2006.

Read: Tiger Woods casts doubts on Jack Nicklaus major record chase

But a caddy’s life is not always financially cozy. Terry Mundy has caddied for former women’s world No. 1 Laura Davies and two-time PGA Tour winner Ian Poulter.

But he’s also experienced the less glamorous side of the job, when prize money isn’t always forthcoming.

“You go to those flyaway tournaments and you’re easily spending $1,000 on a flight,” he said. “And then there’s the hotel. If your player misses the cut, you’re out of pocket for that week.”

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The HSBC Champions event tees off at the Sheshan International Golf Club on Thursday. The $9.5 million total prize purse is on par with what McIlroy bagged at the FedEx Cup a few weeks ago.

And let’s not forget the cut received by the winning caddy, too.