Viktor Hovland and Shay Knight: How the PGA Tour Caddie Contributes to Hovland's Triumphs

Well, let me tell you a little bit about Viktor Hovland’s caddie, a man named Shay Knight. Now, Shay ain’t just any ol’ caddie, no sir. He’s been around the PGA Tour for a long time, carryin’ bags for a lot of big-name golfers. If you’re wonderin’ who Viktor Hovland is, well, he’s the young feller from Norway who’s been makin’ waves in the world of golf. Now, Shay Knight’s been helpin’ him out for a good while, and it seems like the two of ’em make a mighty fine team.

You see, Viktor’s had a real good run in 2023. He’s won a few tournaments and made quite a bit of money. Now, you might not think much about the caddie when you’re watchin’ a golf tournament on TV, but trust me, them caddies work just as hard as the players themselves. And for Shay Knight, he’s been collectin’ a nice little sum for his efforts. From Viktor’s wins, ol’ Shay’s pocketed around $360,000. That’s not chump change, I tell ya.

But wait, it don’t stop there. Shay didn’t just stop makin’ money from wins, oh no. With Viktor’s top-10 finishes and all the other good results, he added another $320,000 to his earnings. Plus, from some other stuff here and there, he’s walked away with about $110,000. Put it all together, and it’s a pretty nice sum — around $790,000 just from 2023 alone! Now, that’s more money than most folks see in a lifetime.

You gotta understand, a caddie’s job ain’t easy. They carry them heavy bags all day long, walkin’ across golf courses that can stretch for miles. They keep track of the wind, the weather, and the greens. They gotta know when to give the golfer a word of encouragement and when to keep their mouth shut. It’s a tough job, and Shay Knight’s been doin’ it for years.

But even though Viktor’s been hittin’ it big, you don’t see Shay makin’ a big fuss about it. Oh no, he’s humble. In fact, after Viktor’s big win at the Memorial Tournament in Columbus, Ohio, just a day later, Shay was right there with him, standin’ by his side as Viktor caddied for a friend at the U.S. Open Final Qualifying. Now, that’s the kind of man Shay is — always willin’ to lend a hand, no matter what.

Now, you might wonder what kind of person Shay Knight is. Well, he’s a good ol’ Aussie, and he’s been on the PGA Tour for a long time, workin’ with a lot of different golfers over the years. That’s the thing with caddies — they get around. Shay’s seen it all, and he knows how to handle the pressure. The golfers rely on him for advice, for help with the course, and sometimes just for a little bit of company out there on the green. It’s a relationship built on trust, and you can tell Viktor and Shay got that.

And as for Viktor, well, he’s been doin’ pretty well for himself. He’s not only got talent, but he’s got a good team behind him — folks like Shay Knight, his coach Joseph Mayo, and his friend Casper Ruud, who’s been with him since the Olympic days. You can see they all support each other, and that’s important in a sport like golf where it’s easy to get caught up in your own head.

So, next time you see Viktor out there on the course, just remember, it ain’t all about the golfer. There’s a whole team workin’ behind the scenes to make sure that ball goes where it’s supposed to go. Shay Knight might not always get the glory, but he sure plays a big part in Viktor’s success. And, if you ask me, that’s worth a lot of respect.

Summary of Viktor Hovland’s Caddie Earnings: