Garrick Higgo’s caddie speaks out after late penalty disaster at PGA Championship, subsequent split up
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Garrick Higgo’s former caddy has taken responsibility for the South African’s late arrival to the first round tee time at the PGA Championship.
Higgo, a two-time PGA Tour winner, received a two-stroke penalty for being late for the opening round tee time at Aronimink Golf Club on Thursday morning. Higgo was in the field but did not enter the “home run” area near the first tee before the 7:18 a.m. tee time, according to rules officials.
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South Africa’s Garrick Higgo shoots from the 11th tee during the first round of the New Orleans 2026 Zurich Classic at TPC Louisiana on April 23, 2026 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Photo: Stacy Revere/Getty Images) (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
The 27-year-old went on to shoot a shot in the opening round, but missed the cut by one shot after shooting 76 on Friday. If the penalty had never been imposed, he would have made it through the weekend and earned a paycheck at the second major championship of the year.
Days after the well-documented penalty and missed cut, Higgo and assistant Austin Gaugert, who was notably on the kickoff before Thursday’s two-stroke penalty, reportedly parted ways.
South African Garrick Higgo walks on the 16th hole with caddy Austin Gaugert during the first round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on May 14, 2026 in Newtown, Pennsylvania. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
GARRICK HIGGO SHARES SURPRISING COMMENTS WHILE REACTING TO HIS TWO-SHOT PENALTY AT THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
On Wednesday, Gaugert issued a statement about the situation that arose in Aronimink and took responsibility for Higgo not arriving at the starting point on time.
“I would like to say something about the incident involving Garrick Higgo being late to the tee at the PGA Championship on Thursday. As a caddy you try to do everything you can to prepare your player for competition and I fell short in that regard,” he wrote in an Instagram Story post. “Garrick was thoroughly understanding of the situation and handled it with professionalism and class. This has happened to players before and will happen again. Garrick handled a difficult situation with grace and I wish him nothing but success moving forward.
“After working with Garrick and achieving the highest success in surrogacy, Garrick has become more of a friend to me than a boss. For that, I will always be grateful.”
South Africa’s Garrick Higgo tees off from the ninth tee during the second round of the Valspar Championship 2026 at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 20, 2026 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Sam Navarro/Getty Images)
While some in the golf world were quick to blame Gaugert for failing to get his boss to the course on time, hand-holding is not part of his job description.
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Higgo is a two-time winner on the Tour and has been a pro since 2019. Getting to the tee on time shouldn’t be difficult, in fact, it’s the only easy thing about playing a golf tournament at any level, let alone a major championship.
Higgo has recruited Nick Cavendish-Pell as caddy for this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
