Xander Schauffele caddie: Who carries the sticks for the PGA Tour star?

One of Xander Schauffele's best pals carries his clubs on the PGA Tour. 

Austin Kaiser has been the two-time major champion's caddie since 2015.

The pair met at San Diego State University where they both featured on the Aztecs' golf team. 

Austin was a solid golfer in his own right but decided not to pursue the game professionally. 

It is understood that Austin had dreams of becoming a police officer but was persuaded by Xander to loop for him on a full-time basis. 

The rest is history and they are now one of the most recognised player/caddie partnerships in elite men's professional golf. 

Career and experience

Austin has been on the bag for all nine of Schauffele's wins on the PGA Tour. 

That figure includes his breakthrough major championship victory at the 2024 U.S. PGA Championship at Valhalla. 

Austin was also on the bag when Xander triumphed at the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon. 

Another career highlight for the duo was undoubtedly Xander winning an Olympic gold medal at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo. 

In the immediate aftermath of Xander winning gold, Austin said: "It was just such a good moment; those are the ones you dream of, making the last putt on the final hole to win it all. It was just an unbelievable feeling."

He also revealed a crucial conversation he had with Xander down the stretch. 

Xander made a bogey on the 14th hole which saw him slip back to a tie for the lead. 

"After [the 14th hole], I kind of just told him, 'Hey, we're tied for the lead. 

"If I would have told you on Thursday that we'd be tied for the lead with a few to go, you would have taken it right then and there, and he was like, 'yeah, let's do it.'

"From that moment on he was all attack, so I'm really proud of the way he handled himself there. 

"Most guys would have lost their minds after that 14th hole. You bogey a par-5 when you have a one-shot lead, and you're looking for a birdie. 

"That was the moment that definitely propelled us to the end."

Personal insights and relationship with Schauffele

Austin hasn't done too many interviews over the years but when he has the looper has revealed their partnership is built on trust. 

"I know what makes him tick and his capabilities on and off the course and we're not afraid to tell each other what's on our mind," he said. 

"I'll tell him, he tells me, and we both expect the cold, honest truth so I think there’s just no boundaries with us to where we’re not afraid to say something.

"I'm not going to sugarcoat anything and he puts that out on the table, like, 'if you have a problem let's get this out and say it so there's no miscommunication,' and that's kind of what we strive for and I think that's what makes it so strong.

"I think it's just that natural brotherhood. I see him as a brother, he sees me as a brother, so that makes it easy for both of us."

Salary and earnings

It is never clear how much players pay their caddies but it is understood most pay them a 10 per cent cut from the prize money they earn each week. 

As of April 2025, Xander has earned more than $57m on the PGA Tour.

Therefore, it's not unreasonable to suggest he has earned more than $5m. 

Personal life and social media

Austin can be found on austin_kaiser. 

He has more than 10,000 followers and includes many photos of the duo winning tournaments.

Despite being a California native, Kaiser is a big Denver Broncos fan.

"I grew up in Central California, so I was stuck between San Francisco, Oakland and San Diego (NFL teams)," he said.  

"So when I was six, my cousin bought me a John Elway jersey for my birthday. I don't know why he did. But ever since, I've loved Elway.

"I'm pretty die-hard; I try to watch every game."

Background and early career

Interestingly, Austin never dreamt of playing professional golf or becoming a caddie.

His goal had always been to become a police officer after graduating from college.

He was one step away from it as he had enrolled in the police academy and was about to finish the required schooling when Xander asked him to be his caddie. 

That call came in 2015 when Schauffele was battling it out in Q-School to join the Korn Ferry Tour before he obtained his PGA Tour card for the 2017 season.

Player-caddie chemistry

Austin's relationship with Xander appears to be as strong as ever. 

He has even stated on several occasions that he has an 'emotional attachment' to Schauffele and he would not caddy for anyone else, even if that person was Tiger Woods.

He said: "We have a perfect balance of professionalism and friendship, I told him many times, I don't think I’d work for anyone else.

"If Xander fired me and Tiger or any of those guys came up to me, I wouldn't caddie for anybody else because I don't have that emotional attachment.

"It's like being drafted by your favourite team growing up. You can't get that with anyone else. I think I have the best job in the world."

After his 2024 Open Championship victory, Xander reaffirmed his strong relationship with Austin. 

"I'm lucky to have Austin, he's done a great job," he said.  

"I believe he's one of the hardest-working caddies out here.

"I love when we don't have much information in a book because I know he's going to go out there and walk 25,000 steps to get all that info for me."