Aaron Rai’s remarkable victory at the 2026 PGA Championship did not only change his career forever — it also resulted in a massive payday for his longtime caddie, Jason Timmis.
Rai captured his first major championship at Aronimink Golf Club with a stunning final-round performance, finishing at nine-under par and becoming the first English golfer to win the PGA Championship since 1919. The victory earned Rai a record-breaking winner’s check of $3.69 million from the tournament’s enormous $20.5 million purse.
While PGA Tour players keep the majority of their winnings, caddies traditionally receive a percentage of the prize money. In most cases, the standard arrangement is around 10 percent for a tournament victory, alongside a weekly base salary.
That means Jason Timmis is estimated to earn approximately $369,000 from Rai’s PGA Championship triumph alone.
For many caddies, that figure would already represent a career-best payday. For Timmis, it is the reward for years of hard work beside one of golf’s most disciplined and underrated players.
Aaron Rai’s Historic Win
Rai entered the championship without being viewed as one of the favorites. However, the Englishman stayed composed throughout the week and produced one of the most memorable moments of the tournament with a spectacular long-range birdie putt on the 17th hole during the final round.
The 31-year-old ultimately finished three shots clear of Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley, securing not only the Wanamaker Trophy but also the biggest prize money payout of his career.
Reports revealed that Rai’s winner’s check was even larger than his entire PGA Tour earnings from the 2025 season combined, highlighting how life-changing the victory truly was.
Jason Timmis’ Important Role
Behind every major champion is a trusted caddie, and Jason Timmis played a crucial role throughout Rai’s incredible week at Aronimink.
Caddies are responsible for much more than simply carrying the golf bag. They help with yardages, club selection, reading greens, strategy, emotional support, and managing pressure during tense moments.
Throughout the championship, Rai repeatedly looked calm and focused, especially during the closing stretch when several top players began to struggle under pressure. Many fans and analysts credited the chemistry between Rai and Timmis as a key factor in the victory.
The estimated $369,000 payday reflects how valuable top caddies can be at the highest level of professional golf.
One of the Biggest Caddie Paydays in Golf
The 2026 PGA Championship featured the largest purse in tournament history, meaning the winning caddie payout was also among the biggest ever seen in the sport.
To put things into perspective:
- Aaron Rai earned $3.69 million for the win.
- Jason Timmis likely received around $369,000.
- Players finishing second earned $1.804 million each.
For comparison, some PGA Tour winners from just a decade ago earned less than what Rai collected this week.
Rai’s Career Reaches New Heights
Beyond the financial rewards, the PGA Championship victory transformed Rai’s standing in world golf.
The win delivered:
- A lifetime exemption into future PGA Championships
- Five-year exemptions into the other major championships
- 750 FedEx Cup points
- A huge jump in the world rankings
Rai also became one of the most talked-about players in golf thanks to his unique habits, including wearing two gloves and using iron covers — traditions tied to his upbringing and respect for the game.
For Jason Timmis, the victory represents not just a massive financial reward, but also a place in golf history alongside a first-time major champion.
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