Garrick Higgo Parts Ways With Caddie After PGA Championship Penalty.

Garrick Higgo has reportedly ended his partnership with caddie Austin Gaugert following the costly timing mistake that overshadowed his opening round at the PGA Championship last week. According to Golfweek, citing Higgo’s agent, Gaugert will no longer carry the bag for the South African golfer. Higgo is expected to work with Nick Cavendish-Pell during this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The split comes days after Higgo received a two-shot penalty for arriving late to his first-round tee time at Aronimink Golf Club. Tournament officials ruled that the 27-year-old was not inside the designated starting area when his group was scheduled to begin play at 7:18 a.m. ET. Broadcast footage showed Higgo arriving moments after the official start time, resulting in the automatic penalty under PGA rules. The setback immediately altered what had been one of the strongest starts of the day. Higgo originally carded a 3-under 67, a score that would have left him tied for the first-round lead. After the penalty was applied on the opening hole, his round officially became a 69. Following the round, Higgo admitted he may have been too relaxed in his approach before teeing off.

“If you know me, then you know I am very casual and laid back,” Higgo said. “I thought I had time. I was obviously too casual.” He also noted that Gaugert had been urgently trying to get him to the tee box before the deadline expired. The penalty proved especially damaging after Higgo missed the cut by a single shot on Friday, ending his week earlier than expected despite otherwise strong play.