Seven years ago, Bud Cauley was involved in a potentially career-ending car crash. But today, he’s in the final group of The PLAYERS Championship.
Cauley was leaving the course after the second round of the 2018 Memorial when he suffered Tiger Woods-esque injuries when his car was demolished.
He was left with a fractured leg, collapsed lung and six broken ribs.
The accident was so severe, he was quoted as saying he was “so thankful to be alive.”
He rushed himself back, but he finished 93rd and 83rd the next two seasons. So he decided to take time off.
A lot of time off.
Four years, in fact. He spent the time rehabbing and building his family.
After finally returning last season, he’s played in 21 tournaments, with just one Top 10. And he was really close to having to watch The PLAYERS from home.
But then just enough guys bowed out this week to where Cauley, as an alternate, was able to play. And it couldn’t have worked out any better.
Cauley was born and raised in Florida, moved to the Jacksonville area when he was young, first attended The PLAYERS as a fan when he was six years old and has played TPC Sawgrass more times than he can count.
He was even in the gallery as an 11-year-old when Tiger Woods made his miracle putt on 17 during his first of two Players titles.
It was the perfect storm. And Cauley has been an absolute hurricane through three rounds.
Battling 30-to-40 mile per hour winds on Saturday, his 6-under 66 tied Corey Connors and Danny Walker for the best round of the day. Entering the final round, he sits just one shot behind J.J. Spaun for the lead in the tournament that means more to him than just about any other player on Tour.
And speaking of the final round, it just so happens to be Cauley’s 35th birthday.
The stars seem to be aligned to give us one of the best stories of the 2025 PGA season. But can Cauley handle the pressure while playing on what amounts to be his home course?
After what he’s experienced during his career, nobody deserves to experience that moment more.
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