Garrick Higgo splits from caddie after costly two-stroke penalty for missing PGA Championship tee time: report

Higgo ends caddie partnership after PGA Championship penalty

Garrick Higgo has split with caddie Austin Gaugert after incurring a two-stroke penalty for missing his opening tee time at the PGA Championship. The South African has hired Nick Cavendish-Pell, a former caddie, and will work with him starting at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

The penalty left Higgo one stroke outside the cut line after he posted a 69 in the first round and a 76 in the second. Gaugert was on the bag for Higgo’s 2025 Corales Puntacana Championship victory, while Cavendish-Pell caddied during the 2021 Palmetto Championship, Higgo’s first PGA Tour win.

Higgo has made five cuts from 13 starts this season and has yet to record a top-25 finish. He said the change aims to improve punctuality and overall results going forward.