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Garrick Higgo, who was penalized two strokes for missing his tee time in the opening round of the PGA Championship last week, has reportedly parted ways with his caddy.
Higgo parted ways with Austin Gaugert and hired Nick Cavendish-Pell, according to Golfweek. Higgo has previously worked with Cavendish-Pell and will reunite with him for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
The two strokes Higgo was penalized were incredibly costly as he missed the cut by one stroke. The 29-year-old shot a 1-under 69 on Thursday after being delayed, but then shot a 76 on Friday.
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Garrick Higgo of South Africa walks the 16th hole with caddy Austin Gaugert during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown, Pennsylvania on May 14, 2026. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Higgo said during an ESPN broadcast that he was “on time but late.”
“So the rules, if you’re a second late, you’re late. Obviously I was there on time, but too late, and it’s a two-shot penalty, and you have five minutes from then until you’re DQ’d,” Higgo began. “Obviously, it’s unfortunate. I usually cut it fine. It was cold this morning, I tried to stay as warm as possible when I came off the course. Yeah, I think it shows a lot of mental strength that I just kept fighting and it wasn’t going to affect my swing or my putter.”
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Garrick Higgo of South Africa walks off the second tee during the second round of the 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana on April 24, 2026 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
“It is what it is. My caddy was on the tee box. I didn’t have my watch on. I didn’t have my phone. I’m already kind of in the clouds as it is. It just is what it is. I don’t know what else to do.”
Gaugert was Higgo’s caddy when he won the 2025 Corales Puntacana Championship. Cavendish-Pell caddied for Higgo when he won the 2021 Palmetto Championship, his first tournament win.
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Garrick Higgo of South Africa reacts to the 15th hole during the first round of the 2026 RBC Heritage at Harbor Town Golf Links on April 16, 2026 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The South African golfer has made five of 13 cuts this season and is yet to crack the top 25 in the rankings. Higgo hopes changing caddies and showing up on time can help him get back on track.
