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A minute late and a caddie short.
After Garrick Higgo’s late arrival to his first-round tee time led to him missing the cut at the 2026 PGA Championship, the South African has split with his caddie, Austin Gaugert, and hired Nick Cavendish-Pell as his new bag man, according to Golfweek, which cited Higgo’s agent.
Higgo, 27, said Gaugert was yelling at him to get to the tee box for his 7:18 a.m. tee time Thursday at Aronimink, but Higgo was a minute late and was assessed a two-stroke penalty.
Garrick Higgo (l.) with caddie Austin Gaugert (r.) during the first round of the PGA Championship on May 14, 2026. Getty ImagesSo his 3-under 67 became a 1-under 69, and his 6-over 76 in the second round Friday left him one stroke shy of the cut line.
Higgo was on the practice putting green, but that is not considered within the starting area.
“I wouldn’t have been late if I knew I was running late,’’ Higgo said. “I was there at 7:18 (and) 30 seconds. I was there on time, but the rule is if you’re one second late, you’re late.’’
Garrick Higgo plays his shot from the 15th tee during the second round of the PGA Championship on May 15, 2026. Getty ImagesAsked why he was late leaving the practice green, Higgo, ranked No. 85 in the world, said, “If you know me, then you know I am very casual and laid back. I thought I had time. I was obviously too casual.”
Higgo spent extra time in the scorer’s tent after the first round “trying to get evidence.”
Higgo, who was not late for his 12:43 p.m. tee time Friday, has two PGA Tour victories on his résumé; he won the Palmetto Championship in 2021 and he captured last year’s Corales Puntacana Championship. He also has three wins on the European tour.
Cavendish-Pell, who used to be Higgo’s caddie, will join him at this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson at TPC Craig Ranch.
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