Garrick Higgo’s Former Caddie Breaks Silence on PGA Championship Blunder

Garrick Higgo was 2-over par before he even stepped foot on the first tee at the 2026 PGA Championship. Higgo was one minute late for his scheduled tee time at Aronimink Golf Club, resulting in a two-stroke penalty at the start of his opening round. The 27-year-old South African golfer shot a 1-under 69 to begin his major championship, but he would’ve been tied for the lead had it not been for his late-arrival punishment.

On Friday, Higgo shot a 6-over 76 and missed the cut. Higgo parted ways with his caddie Austin Gaugert in the wake of this highly-publicized incident. Gaugert addressed the incident with a public statement on Instagram Wednesday.

“I want to say something about the incident with Garrick Higgo being late to the tee on Thursday at the PGA Championship. As a caddie, you try to do everything you can to prepare your player for competition and I fell short of that,” he wrote. MCKINNEY, TEXAS – MAY 20: Caddie Nick Cavendish-Pell talks to Garrick Higgo of South Africa on the 18th green during a practice roundprior to THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson 2026 at TPC Craig Ranch on May 20, 2026 in McKinney, Texas.

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) “Garrick was understanding throughout the situation and handled it with professionalism and class,” Gaugert added. “This has happened to players before and will again. Garrick handled a difficult situation with grace, and I wish him nothing but success moving forward.