Scottie Scheffler and Ted Scott have formed a dynamic golfer-caddy pairing in recent years. But if Scheffler is going to continue his success at the 2024 PGA Championship, he'll have to do so without Scott — at least for one round.
Scott will be out for the third round of the 2024 PGA Championship, leaving Scheffler with a fill-in caddie for Saturday's round at Louisville's Valhalla Golf Club.
Scott has been a fixture of Scheffler's rise over the past two-and-a-half seasons. Scott joined Scheffler, 27, before 2022, and has won a pair of Masters with him, claiming the 2022 and 2024 editions of the prestigious golf major, as well as the 2023 and 2024 editions of The Players Championship. Paired with Scott, Scheffler ascended to the No. 1 ranking in March 2022 and has held the spot ever since.
The caddie can play a major role in the success of a golfer. They have to know the course extremely well, providing recommendations on clubs based on both the courses and the golfer's individual style.
Being without Scott for a pivotal third round could be a major shakeup for Scheffler as he looks to win his second major in 2024 and claim his first-ever PGA Championship title.
Here's why Scott won't be around for the third round.
MORE: Everything to know about Ted Scott, Scheffler's caddie
Why Ted Scott left PGA Championship after Round 2
Scott has an important family event that will cause him to miss the third round of the PGA Championship. His daughter will be graduating high school, and he will be in attendance.
"It was a pretty easy decision," Scheffler said, per Golf Digest. "He told me at the beginning of this year that that was the date that it was, so I got a backup caddie lined up. One of my buddies is going to carry the bag on Saturday, and then Ted will be back for Sunday's round."
The expectation is Scott will return for the fourth round of the PGA Championship, which should still offer a chance for him to help Scheffler win a second major in 2024.
Who is Scottie Scheffler's caddie for Round 3?
Brad Payne will be the caddie for Scheffler in Scott's absence. Payne is a PGA Tour chaplain.
"I trust him to rake a bunker more than my buddies," Scheffler said, per Golf Digest.
Payne has experience as a caddie, having worked in the role for Paul Stankowski in the past, per the PGA Tour. He also played collegiate golf at Pepperdine.
Ted Scott major history
For all of Scheffler's 10 wins in the PGA Tour, it has been Scott on the bag. Of those, two have been majors.
But Scott also had success as a caddie prior to Scheffler. He worked with Bubba Watson for 15 years, then joined Scheffler. Alongside Watson, Scott won 10 events and two majors, including two wins at the Masters. Watson described the parting as a mutual split after injuries and age caused Watson to question his long-term future in the sport.
Scott considered retiring from the PGA Tour to provide golf lessons, per Golf Digest, but wound up signing on with Scheffler instead.
In total, Scott has paired with a golfer winning a major four times. All four wins have come at the Masters.
| Tournament | Score to par | Winning margin |
| 2012 Masters Tournament | 10 under | Playoff (1 stroke) |
| 2014 Masters Tournament | 8 under | 3 strokes |
| 2022 Masters Tournament | 10 under | 3 strokes |
| 2024 Masters Tournament | 11 under | 4 strokes |