Golf star sacks caddie immediately after PGA Championship rule breach | Golf | Sport
Garrick Higgo has parted ways with his caddie. (Image: Getty Images)
The bond between a golfer and their caddie is one of the most cherished in sport, yet such partnerships can unravel over almost anything — misread putts, incorrect yardages, or simply a player opting to replace a trusted friend with a more seasoned veteran who has worked alongside leading PGA Tour names.
Garrick Higgo’s split from Austin Gaugert stemmed from a decision that was the direct result of just one minute lost during a PGA Tour major. Higgo has since brought in Nick Cavendish-Pell, the caddie who was by his side when he claimed victory at the 2021 Palmetto Championship.
The South African parted company with his long-serving caddie following the PGA Championship at Aronimink, where a tardy arrival at the first tee resulted in a two-stroke penalty that ultimately proved costly.
The incident occurred before Higgo had even played his opening tee shot on Thursday. With a 7.18am tee time scheduled, television footage captured Gaugert urging him to quicken his pace as Higgo made his way over from the putting green, arriving in the designated starting area at 7:19 a.m.
Under Rule 5.3, turning up no more than five minutes late incurs a two-stroke penalty rather than disqualification. Higgo still delivered a commendable opening round of 69 despite the penalty, but a subsequent 76 on Friday left him missing the cut by a single stroke at 5-over.
Higgo was spotted inside the scoring area engaged in a heated exchange with officials as the matter was resolved. He conceded that he understood the rule, yet felt he had been close enough to the tee to make the situation particularly hard to accept.
Gaugert appeared to indirectly acknowledge the end of their partnership on social media. The pair had only begun working together in May of last year.
Garrick Higgo missed the cut at the PGA Championship. (Image: Getty)
The caddie shared an Instagram story featuring a meme reading “we didnt know it was the best time until it was over,” alongside crying emojis to Kygo’s “Stole the Show.” Higgo revealed their conversation had been entirely focused on gathering evidence to support his case.
“I was just trying to get evidence. I feel like any of you would have done the same,” Higgo said. “I was there on time, but the rule is, if you’re one second late, you’re late. So if you think about it, I was there on time, if you know what I mean.”
The 27-year-old also attributed the incident to his own overly relaxed pre-round routine: “If you know me, then you know I am very casual and laid back … I don’t want to be there 10 minutes early. I know that five minutes is fine. I thought I had time.”
Higgo has missed cuts at the Farmers Insurance Open, WM Phoenix Open, Genesis Invitational, The Players Championship, Valspar Championship, Valero Texas Open, Zurich Classic of New Orleans, and PGA Championship.
He recorded finishes of T60 at Pebble Beach, T40 at the Cognizant Classic, T69 in Houston, T52 at RBC Heritage, and T67 at Myrtle Beach.
This article first appeared on Mirror US.
