Full Breakdown
Garrick Higgo Parts Ways with Caddie Austin Gaugert After Late-Tee Penalty at PGA Championship
5/19/2026, 11:35:40 PM
Late-Tee Penalty and Immediate Fallout
During the PGA Championship opening round on May 14, Garrick Higgo arrived at his 7:18 a.m. tee time at Aronimink Golf Club one minute late. The PGA of America imposed a two-stroke penalty, changing a likely 3-under 67 into a 1-under 69. Higgo’s 76 in round two left him one shot short of the cut, and on May 19 his agent announced the split with caddie Austin Gaugert, appointing former teammate Nick Cavendish-Pell for the CJ Cup.
Timeline
- May 14, 2026 – Late-tee penalty, round 1 69.
- May 15, 2026 – Round 2 76, missed cut by one.
- May 19, 2026 – Agent confirms caddie split, Cavendish-Pell hired.
- May 20-23, 2026 – CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Dallas.
Data & Statistics
Scheduled tee time 7:18 a.m.; arrival 7:19 a.m. (one minute late). Two-stroke penalty applied. Round 1 69 (1-under), round 2 76 (6-over). Cut line 75; total 145, one stroke short.
Key Figures & Groups
Garrick Higgo – 27-year-old South African, two PGA Tour wins (2021 Palmetto, 2025 Corales Puntacana) and three European Tour titles. Austin Gaugert – caddie since early 2025, helped Higgo win the 2025 Corales Puntacana. Nick Cavendish-Pell – caddie for Higgo’s 2021 Palmetto win, most recently with Adrien Saddier. PGA of America – enforcer of the starting-time rule.
Official Statements & Responses
The PGA of America said Higgo was practicing on the putting green but was not at the defined starting point when his tee time began. Higgo later described himself as “very casual and laid back,” noting he thought five minutes was sufficient. Golfweek, citing his agent, reported the caddie change as a post-tournament decision.
Criticism & Opposition
Former PGA Tour player Kevin Kisner, on the Fore Play podcast, criticized Higgo’s timing, saying, “I don’t understand how you can even risk it. Just get over there.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Reports differ on who initiated the split; Golfweek’s note does not clarify whether Higgo fired Gaugert or the caddie left. Higgo’s post-round comments also vary, with some outlets quoting the “one-second” phrasing and others using the “running late” wording.
Why It Matters / Impact
The episode highlights caddie responsibilities for punctuality and shows how a single-second timing error can change a major-championship result, affect earnings, and prompt immediate personnel changes. For Higgo, the new partnership seeks to restore confidence before the CJ Cup.
What’s Next
Higgo will play the CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch in Dallas from May 20-23 with Cavendish-Pell, offering a chance to gauge whether the revived pairing improves his performance.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was there on time, but the rule is, if you're one second late, you're late.” — Garrick Higgo, Player
- “I wouldn’t have been late if I knew I was running late.” — Garrick Higgo, Player
- “I was late. I mean, my caddie was yelling at me to get to the tee,” — Garrick Higgo, Player
- “ He added: “If you know me, then you know I am very casual and laid back.” — Garrick Higgo, Player
- “I don’t understand how you can even risk it,” — Kevin Kisner, Former PGA Tour player
