PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Bud Cauley was the son of a Navy diver and lived on military bases in various corners of the world, but the Jacksonville area is home.
The PGA Tour rookie may be making his first appearance in The Players Championship this week, but he knows the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course.
“I’ve played it maybe 50 times,” said Cauley, 21. “Never in conditions like this.”
Just four years ago, Cauley finished third in an AJGA event at the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course. His parents, Bill and Melba, live 10 minutes away from the course.
“I always dreamed of winning this tournament, having friends and family here,” Cauley said.
Cauley spent time living in Cuba when he was very young and in Guam from ages 10-13. His family moved to the Jacksonville area after leaving Guam.
Cauley is one of just seven players to come straight out of college and earn his PGA Tour card while avoiding Q-School. He ranked 116th on the money list last season as a non-member, earning him his card.Related Articles
Power Rankings: BMW PGA Championship
by Will Gray | May 21, 2013 5:47 PM ETSee which players you should keep an eye on this week as the European Tour holds its flagship event at Wentworth. Read More
Lower body stability keys success in the wind
by Tyrus York, SwingFix instructor | May 20, 2013 9:00 AM ETSang-Moon Bae won his first PGA Tour event Sunday and playing well in the final round on a tough day was made possible by his stability and balance. Read More
Bae captures Byron Nelson title
by Associated Press | May 19, 2013 6:34 PM ETSang-Moon Bae won the HP Byron Nelson Championship on Sunday for his first PGA Tour title, beating Keegan Bradley by two strokes after blowing a four-stroke lead. Read More
Mell, a senior writer, is a 30-year veteran and covers the PGA and LPGA tours for Golf Channel.
Latest News
- USGA, R&A ban anchored stroke | Explanation
- Infographic: What's legal, illegal | Timeline
- Video: Woods talks Garcia feud | Won't clear air
- Steele: Expect a player to sue USGA, R&A
- Peterson to donate to Okla. tornado victims
- Z. Johnson, Dufner reunited at Crowne Plaza
- Statements: PGA Tour, PGAA | LPGA | USGA
- Pettersson asks for 'a few days' | Pavin's take
- Manufacturer: 'Golf lost today' | Time to adapt
- Guan WDs from Open qualifying | In Memorial
- Open qualifying: Men's local | Women's sectional
- Weekly Fix: Exposing a great golf instruction myth
