Rickie Fowler Caddie in US Open is Ricky Romano since they joined hands in 2022. The duo are leading after the first round in LA Country Club.
Ricky is not just there to carry his bag but plays a crucial role in the golfer's success. He has been crucial to read the course and has good decision-making skills to help the golfer.
An experienced bag handler is a bonus for a golfer and if they both are in sync, then they can achieve a lot as a team.
The player-caddy partnership has started well in the ongoing U.S. Open and is currently on top of the leaderboard.
Who Is Caddie Ricky Romano?
Ricky Romano replaced Joe Skovron in 2022. Romano started his career in 2012 and has been associated with several players.
He has previously worked with Jason Kokrak, Ben Crane, Sung Kang, Arjun Atwal, Charlie Beljan, Aaron Wise, and Nate Lashley.
He hails from Murrieta, California, his hometown, and attended the Murrieta Valley High School, Class of 2003. He then attended the University of Houston (2003-07).
Rickie Fowler former caddy Ricky Romano also played college golf, where his team won eight tournaments at the Division I level when he was in his junior year of college.
His favorite golfer while growing up was Tiger Woods and he rates TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona as his favorite course.
Ricky has played golf since he was 3 and has managed to play at every level, including professionally for six years. He believes his ability to read the greens, course management, and decision-making are his most substantial assets.
In 2012, when he first started his career with Charlie Beljan, they finished T11 and were followed up with acclaim from the crowd. He crowns this as his greatest memory as a bag handler.
He happens to be very passionate about bass fishing, and his biggest is around 12 lb as of now. A whopping 564 lb Thresher Shark is the biggest fish he has ever caught making him a Oceanside Harbor Record holder.
His connection with the waters also contributes to his liking for surfing and follows the World Surf League.
Ricky Romano Salary and Earnings 2023
Caddies like Ricky Romano on average can earn up to $1500-$3000 per tournament. In addition, they will also get a percentage of winnings.
They play a crucial role in the golfer's journey and their purse may vary from $50,000 to over $1 million.
As of 2023, Rickie Fowler has earned over $4,738,597 in 17 events. If Ricky is to take a high 10%, then he earns about $473,859.7.
The earning also depends on the golfer's performance and popularity. Steve Williams, who was in the bag for Tiger Woods has a net worth of around $20 million and had $1.27 million in earnings in 2006.
According to Golf Monthly, "If you were looking for a number, it would be $2,000 a week, and then 7 to 8 percent and 10 percent". The 7 and 8 percent are their share out of what the player wins in the given week.
They must look after the expenses such as food, lodging, travel, and more on their own. It can cost about $50,000 in expenses when you're on the PGA Tour.
If a player makes $100,000 and the caddy takes a share of 7-10% it is impossible to cover the expenses. With tournaments taking place in different locations, there is a lot of traveling involved.
All of the negotiations are done between the golfer and their course partner. The more the player wins, the more the caddy earns.
Has Rickie Fowler Ever Won A Major?
No, Rickie Fowler has not won a Major and his best finish was in 2018 when he finished 2nd at the Masters Tournament.
His best results in Major Championships all came in 2014:
- PGA Championship - T3
- U.S. Open - T2
- The Open Championship - T2
Apart from Rickie and Ricky sounding similar, they have another thing in common. Rickie also happens to be a Murrieta Valley High School graduate.
He is an Oklahoma State University alumni and registered his first win at the Fighting Illini Invitational in 2007, and went on to win the tournament.
Before turning professional in 2009, he won the Sunnehanna Amateur in 2007 and 2008. He was also awarded the Ben Hogan Award the same year.
In his professional career, he has 5 PGA Tour wins and 2 European Tour wins and is still playing on the PGA Tour. Rickie is positioned at T1 alongside Xander Schauffele in the ongoing U.S. Open.
The five PGA Tour victories in his career:
- Well Fargo Championship - 2012
- The Players Championship - 2015
- Deutsche Bank Championship - 2015
- The Honda Classic - 2017
- Waste Management Phoenix Open - 2019