Garrick Higgo's absence from the U.S. Open is reminiscent of a previous high-profile mishap at the PGA Championship last month when he also failed to tee off on time.
Garrick Higgo's participation in the U.S. Open was thwarted by a surprising circumstance, echoing his infamous tardiness at the previous month's PGA Championship.
Related ↗Sri Lanka series sees return of Joseph and Da Silva to the West Indies team.Austin Gaugert, Garrick Higgo's former caddie, will be present at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York, this week, but not carrying Higgo's bag - instead, he'll be working with Patrick Rodgers, as reported by Golfweek on Tuesday.
Gaugert had served as Higgo's trusted caddie since 2025, a partnership that included their triumphant Corales Puntacana Championship win from the previous year. The duo parted ways just days after the PGA Championship, where Higgo narrowly missed the cut by one stroke due to a two-stroke penalty incurred for his initial round delay.
Read next ↗Tickner and Conway return to NZ central contracts.Dylan Wu welcomed Gaugert back to the PGA Tour as his caddie just two weeks after their previous collaboration ended.
Garrick Higgo's return to major competition is notable, as he now serves as caddie for Rodgers, a player who has yet to claim victory on the PGA Tour but boasts an impressive FedEx Cup standing of 51st.

