SouthernWorldwide.com – Golfer Garrick Higgo has reportedly parted ways with his caddie following a costly two-stroke penalty incurred for arriving late to his tee time at the PGA Championship last week.
The split from Austin Gaugert and subsequent hiring of Nick Cavendish-Pell was reported by Golfweek. Higgo has a prior working relationship with Cavendish-Pell and is set to reunite with him for the upcoming CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
The two-stroke penalty proved to be a significant setback for Higgo, as he ultimately missed the cut by a single stroke. After being late, the 29-year-old managed to shoot a 1-under 69 on Thursday, but then followed it up with a 76 on Friday.
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During an ESPN broadcast, Higgo explained the situation, stating he was “on time, but late.” He elaborated on the rules, noting that being even a second late results in a penalty, with a disqualification possible after five minutes. He acknowledged the unfortunate nature of the situation, attributing his slight delay to trying to stay warm off the range in the cold morning air.
Higgo expressed that he didn’t have his watch or phone with him at the time, and felt he was “in the clouds a little.” He accepted the outcome, stating, “It is what it is. I don’t know what else to do.”
Gaugert had been Higgo’s caddie when the golfer secured victory at the 2025 Corales Puntacana Championship. Cavendish-Pell previously caddied for Higgo during his first tournament win at the 2021 Palmetto Championship.
This season, the South African golfer has made five cuts out of thirteen, and has yet to achieve a top-25 finish. Higgo is hopeful that this change in caddies, along with a renewed focus on punctuality, will help him regain his form and improve his performance.
