LIV Golf faces uncertain future as Saudi funding ends
LIV Golf faces uncertain future as Saudi funding ends
scripps news
Days after receiving an embarrassing penalty for being late for a tee time in the opening round of the PGA Championship, Garrick Higgo parted ways with his caddy. Golfweek reported on Monday that Nick Cavendish-Pell will replace Austin Gogart.
On Thursday, as Higo meandered toward the teeing ground, Gaugert was seen on video urging him to hurry. The South African golfer started at 7.18am with Michael Brennan and Sean Michael at Aronimink Golf Club. He arrived at 7:19, but was immediately handed a two-stroke penalty and then missed by one stroke.
Considering Higgo’s comments after the round, the decision to change caddies isn’t all that shocking.
“My caddy dropped my Trackman in the locker, so I headed to the putting green thinking I still had five minutes,” Higgo said. “After I made one putt, I heard my name called. My caddy yelled at me and I ran down and got a two-stroke penalty.”
Afterwards, Higgo was seen on ESPN having a lively discussion with officials in the scoring tent.
The 29-year-old is believed to be the first player to receive a late penalty at the PGA Championship since David Lipsky in 2019. One more minute and he would have been completely disqualified.
The change is effective immediately, Higo’s agent confirmed to Golfweek, with Cavendish Pell joining Higo in his bag for this week’s CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Dallas.
It’s a reunion. Cavendish-Pell was filling in for Higo when he won his first PGA Tour victory at the 2021 Palmetto Championship. The two worked together throughout the 2022 season before going their separate ways.
Higgo took part of the blame for his tardiness.
“If you know me, you know that I’m a very casual and laid-back person,” Higgo said. “I don’t want to be there ten minutes early. I know five minutes is fine. I thought I had time. That was clearly too casual.”
