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.
