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

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Garrick Higgo, who was penalized two strokes for missing his opening-round tee time of the PGA Championship last week, has reportedly split from his caddie.

Higgo split with Austin Gaugert and hired Nick Cavendish-Pell, according to Golfweek. Higgo has worked with Cavendish-Pell in the past 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 late, but then shot a 76 on Friday.

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Garrick Higgo of South Africa walks the 16th hole with caddie 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 one second late, you're late. I was obviously there on time, but late, and that's a two-shot penalty, and you have five minutes from then until you are DQ'd," Higgo began. "Obviously, it's unfortunate. I usually cut it fine. It was cold this morning, I was trying to stay as warm as possible coming off from the range. Yeah, I think it shows a lot of mental strength the way 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 of the second tee during the second round of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2026 at TPC Louisiana on April 24, 2026 in Avondale, Louisiana. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

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