Garrick Higgo Splits With Caddie After PGA Championship Penalty

Garrick Higgo has changed caddies just days after a costly rules penalty at the PGA Championship, ending his partnership with Austin Gaugert and bringing back Nick Cavendish-Pell for this week's CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Dallas.

What Happened

According to reports from Yahoo Sports and Golfweek, Higgo split with Gaugert on Monday. No formal reason was given for the change, but the timing drew attention because it came immediately after Higgo's late arrival for his opening-round tee time at the PGA Championship at Aronimink.

Why the Split Drew Notice

Higgo was assessed a two-stroke penalty after arriving late to the tee on Thursday. He later said he was there at 7:18 and 30 seconds, but under the rule, even being one second late counts as late. Golfweek noted that he shot 69 in the first round despite the penalty, then followed with a 76 on Friday and missed the cut by one stroke. Without the penalty, he would have played the weekend.

The Caddie Change

Golfweek reported that Higgo has hired Nick Cavendish-Pell, who previously worked with him and was on the bag for Higgo's first PGA Tour win at the 2021 Palmetto Championship. Yahoo Sports also reported that Cavendish-Pell will rejoin Higgo this week in Dallas. Gaugert had been on the bag for Higgo's 2025 Corales Puntacana Championship win.

What Comes Next

Player-caddie changes are common on tour, but this one lands differently because it followed a highly visible mistake at a major. The next question is simple: whether the reunion with Cavendish-Pell settles things quickly and helps Higgo regain momentum.

Sources: Garrick Higgo splits with caddie days after arriving late to PGA Championship tee time, missing cut at Aronimink from Yahoo Sports; Garrick Higgo splits with caddie after PGA Championship penalty from Golfweek.