If you were watching the PGA Tour playoffs in August 2025, the vibe around the world number one changed in an instant. One minute, Scottie Scheffler is marching toward another trophy with his right-hand man, Ted Scott, by his side. The next, Ted is gone. Poof. Vanished from the bag right before the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis.
Naturally, the golf world went into a bit of a tailspin.
People were speculating wildly on social media, as they do. Was there a fallout? Was it health-related for Ted? Scheffler, usually an open book, was uncharacteristically tight-lipped. He kept saying Ted was "where he needed to be" and that the family was in "good spirits," but he wasn't giving up the goods. Honestly, it felt heavy. You could see it in how Scottie played that Sunday—still elite, obviously, but just a little... off.
The Reality of the Ted Scott Caddie Family Emergency
It turns out the situation was much more serious than a simple scheduling conflict. This wasn't like 2024 when Ted took a day off to go to his daughter’s graduation. This was, in Ted’s own words, "a devastating family emergency" and "the hardest thing I’ve ever walked through."
After staying silent for a couple of weeks, Ted finally posted what he calls his "Sunday Sermon" on Instagram to clear the air. His nephew, Joel, had suffered a serious injury.
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Ted didn't get into the gory details of the accident itself—and frankly, he shouldn't have to—but the gravity was clear. He talked about feeling completely helpless watching his family grieve. When you're used to being the "fixer" on the golf course, someone who manages every yardage and every mood swing for the best player on the planet, being unable to fix a family tragedy is a massive mental hurdle.
Who Stepped Up When Ted Had to Go?
When the call came on that Saturday night in Memphis, the logistics were a nightmare. Ted had to get back to Louisiana immediately. You don’t just find a world-class looper at 10:00 PM on a Saturday.
- Brad Payne to the rescue: The first person to step in was Brad Payne, the PGA Tour chaplain and a close friend of Scottie’s. He literally drove through the night from Dallas to Memphis to carry the bag on Sunday.
- The Pro Replacement: For the following week at the BMW Championship, Scottie grabbed Michael Cromie. Cromie usually caddies for Chris Kirk, but since Kirk hadn't qualified for that specific leg of the playoffs, he was available.
It’s kind of wild to think about. Scottie actually won the BMW Championship with Cromie on the bag. It was the first time in their legendary partnership that Scheffler hoisted a trophy without Ted Scott whispering in his ear. That tells you everything you need to know about Scottie's talent, but also about the "next man up" mentality on Tour.
Why This Hit the Tour So Hard
Golf can be a lonely, individual sport, but the caddie community is tight. While Ted was away, you might have noticed players wearing neon yellow ribbons on their hats.
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That wasn't for a sponsor. It was for Joel.
Tommy Fleetwood, Scottie himself, and several other big names wore those ribbons throughout the Tour Championship in Atlanta. It was a silent nod to a guy who is basically the "Dean" of caddies. Ted has been around forever—he spent 15 years with Bubba Watson before this run with Scottie. He’s the guy everyone likes. Seeing him broken up over a family crisis shifted the focus from FedEx Cup points to real-life perspective pretty fast.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Absence
A lot of fans thought Ted was just "taking a break" because Scottie was so far ahead in the points. That’s just not how these guys work.
In professional golf, the caddie earns a percentage of the winnings—usually 10% for a win. By missing the end of the St. Jude and the entirety of the BMW, Ted potentially walked away from hundreds of thousands of dollars. You don't do that for a "mental health day" or a minor issue. You do it because your family is falling apart.
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Ted eventually made it back for the Tour Championship at East Lake. He looked thinner, maybe a bit more tired, but he was there. Scottie mentioned that Ted wanted to be back at work—that the routine of golf was actually a form of therapy for him while his nephew continued to recover.
Key Takeaways for the Golf Fan
- Perspective is everything: Even for guys making millions, a phone call from home can render a 5-foot birdie putt completely meaningless.
- The Scheffler-Scott Bond: This emergency solidified just how much Scottie respects Ted. He didn't pressure him to return; he just told him to stay home as long as it took.
- The Yellow Ribbon: If you see footage from the 2025 Tour Championship, those ribbons are a symbol of the "Joel Strong" movement within the PGA locker room.
If you’re looking to support or just stay updated, following Ted Scott’s Instagram is the best bet. He’s been very open about his faith and the healing process Joel is undergoing. It's a reminder that behind the pristine green fairways and the massive checks, these guys are dealing with the same "life stuff" as the rest of us.
Next Steps for You: Keep an eye on the official PGA Tour communications or Scottie Scheffler’s post-round interviews if you want the latest on Joel's recovery status. Usually, Scottie gives a brief "he's doing better" or "prayers appreciated" update when asked. You can also look into the College Golf Fellowship, an organization both Brad Payne and Ted Scott are heavily involved in, which provides a lot of the emotional support infrastructure for players and caddies during crises like this one.