“Television is my No.1 priority.” With this straightforward statement, Jim “Bones” Mackay has made it clear where his heart lies. After parting ways with Justin Thomas in March 2024, he officially returned to NBC as a course reporter, resuming the broadcasting career he had briefly paused to caddie for Thomas.

Mackay’s experience in the game runs deep; after spending 25 years alongside Phil Mickelson and building a reputation as one of golf’s best and most popular caddies, he first joined NBC in 2017  and quickly became one of the best in the business. In 2021, however, the opportunity to work with a player like Thomas drew him back to caddying, and together they won the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills. Bones is a veteran! 

Bones’s career as a caddie speaks for itself; his resume is among the best, and he’s admired as one of the game’s finest bagmen. But when asked about the most underrated caddie on the PGA Tour, Bones didn’t hesitate for long. His surprising answer? Ted Scott, Scottie Scheffler’s right-hand man. Why Scott? Mackay had an explanation, and it all comes down to the undeniable chemistry between Scott and Scheffler.

Mackay described one of those moments that capture it all: during a windy day at Augusta National, Scheffler, with Scott by his side, pulled off an amazing six-iron shot on the 10th hole, landing the ball just four feet from the hole. “They speak the same language,” Mackey explained in five simple words. Giving a bold statement, he added, “I think he (Scottie Scheffler) could go through every caddie in the game and couldn’t possibly come close to finding a guy as good for him as Ted Scott is.”

And Mackay has a point. Scott started working with Scheffler in late 2021, and they hit it off immediately, winning their first PGA Tour event together at the RSM Classic, which was only the beginning of the coming major wins. However, even the best duos face life’s curveballs. At the 2024 PGA Championship, Ted had to step away mid-tournament to attend his daughter’s high school graduation in Louisiana, leaving Scheffler with a temporary caddie.

The duo shares a dynamic relationship and are bound by their friendship and their mutual beliefs of putting family and god first. The 2024 season was a fireball for Scottie Scheffler, and Teddy was by his side. The result? Scott became one of the highest-paid caddies of the year!

Being by Scheffler’s side did well for Ted Scott

Being by Scheffler’s side has certainly paid off for Ted Scott, but it’s not just about the paycheck—it’s about respect, trust, and a bond that goes beyond the bag. From the moment they teamed up in late 2021, Scott has been more than just Scheffler’s caddie. He’s been a steady presence, a calming influence, and, as Scheffler himself has made clear, an essential part of his success.

In a heartfelt gesture, Scheffler made it clear just how much Scott meant to him. After his Masters victory, Scheffler insisted that Scott make the victory walk with him, a moment traditionally reserved for players and their loved ones. “Ted, it’s going to be hard to catch up with you on all these Masters titles. I couldn’t do this without you. What a guy,” said Scheffler, giving a nod to his caddie’s role in his victory. It was a rare moment, one where a player and a caddie shared a victory like no other.

“Teddy did a great job of making sure that we kept the golf course in front of us,” Scheffler said about the round. “I didn’t get off to the best start, but I had some key up-and-downs, and Teddy once again did a great job of keeping me in it.”

Scott, for his part, has always been humble about his role in the win, saying, “Honestly, I’m just pinching myself. I don’t know how I get to do this. When I was 19 years old, a guy by the name of Ryan Smith told me, ‘If you want to get better at something, find people who are better than you and spend time with them.’ That’s kind of been my motto in life.”

It’s no surprise that Scott has been so successful. His chemistry with Scheffler, his experience, and his ability to stay calm under pressure have all played a part. But it’s moments like these—where Scheffler makes sure to acknowledge Scott’s importance—that truly show just how much this partnership means.