It took 239 PGA Tour starts and a near-fatal car accident, but Bud Cauley finally punched his name into golf history with a breakthrough win at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open — banking $1.764 million in a single Sunday.
With career prize money now surpassing $14 million, Cauley’s story is one of the most compelling financial and human comebacks in modern professional golf.
Bud Cauley’s Biography
| Full Name | William Carl Cauley III |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | March 16, 1990 |
| Age | 36 |
| Birthplace | Daytona Beach, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height / Weight | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) / 150 lb (68 kg) |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Official World Golf Ranking | Top 40 (post-Canadian Open, July 2026) |
| Turned Professional | 2011 |
| Years Active | 2011–present |
| Tour(s) | PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour |
| Caddie | Matt Hauser |
| Net Worth | ~$10 million (estimated) |
| Career Prize Money | $14 million+= |
| PGA Tour Wins | 1 (2026 RBC Canadian Open) |
| Korn Ferry Tour Wins | 1 (2014 Hotel Fitness Championship) |
| Major Titles | 0 |
| Relationship Status | Married to Kristi McDonald Cauley (Oct 2021) |
| Children | Cooper William Cauley (b. Nov 2022), Miles Henry Cauley (b. Jan 2025) |
Early Life and Golf Journey
Bud Cauley was born on March 16, 1990, in Daytona Beach, Florida, and grew up in the Jacksonville area.
His parents made the unconventional choice to homeschool him so he could dedicate maximum time to junior golf training — a decision that paid off fast.
Cauley rose to a top-five national ranking in junior golf and cracked the world top-15 in his age group.
He earned a place on the University of Alabama’s golf team in 2008, quickly establishing himself as one of the most decorated players in the program’s history.
Over three seasons with the Crimson Tide, Cauley became a three-time first-team All-American and was a three-time finalist for the Ben Hogan Award, given annually to the best college golfer in the country.
He was also a member of the 2009 U.S. Walker Cup team, posting a 3-0-1 record at Merion.
He qualified for the 2011 U.S. Open as an amateur, made the cut, and finished T63 — earning a direct bypass to Stage Two of Q School.
Rather than return for his senior year, Cauley turned professional immediately, joining a very short list of players who earned a PGA Tour card straight from college without attending Q School, a group that includes Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
Professional Golf Career
Cauley’s professional debut turned heads fast. In just eight starts during the shortened 2011 PGA Tour season, he earned $735,150 — including a third-place finish at the Frys.com Open worth $340,000.
He also represented the USA at the 2006 Junior Ryder Cup earlier in his development years.
The 2011–12 season confirmed him as a legitimate threat. He collected six top-10 finishes, earned $1,774,479 in prize money, and climbed to a career-high world ranking of 53rd by September 2012.
His best major result at the time came at the 2013 Open Championship, where he finished T32 at Muirfield.
A series of inconsistent seasons followed, punctuated by a resurgent 2017 in which he earned $1,553,685.
His career then stalled dramatically when a single-car accident on June 1, 2018, during the Memorial Tournament week left him with life-threatening injuries.
He recovered enough to play two more PGA Tour seasons, but medical complications in September 2020 related to plate hardware in his chest forced another long absence.
Cauley returned to competition in January 2024 on the Korn Ferry Tour and regained full PGA Tour status at The Players Championship in 2025 — where he contended on the final day.
His 2025 season became his most lucrative ever at $3.4 million in prize money. Then, on June 14, 2026, in rain and wind at TPC Toronto, he closed with a 5-under 65 to win the RBC Canadian Open by two shots over Matt Fitzpatrick — his first PGA Tour title in his 239th start.
He also qualified for The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale as a result.
Caddie
Bud Cauley currently works with veteran looper Matt Hauser, who brings more than 25 years of professional caddying experience to the bag.
The partnership delivered strong results throughout the 2026 PGA Tour season, including a seventh-place finish at the RBC Heritage and ultimately the breakthrough win at the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto.
Before Hauser, Cauley had experienced caddies Tony Navarro and David Gies on his bag at various points in his career.
Wife
Bud Cauley is married to Kristi McDonald Cauley, a digital marketing and relations coordinator at TGR — Tiger Woods’ ventures company. Kristi studied Journalism at the University of Florida and graduated in 2017.
The couple got engaged in December 2019, just over a year after Bud’s devastating accident, and married in October 2021.
Together they have two sons: Cooper William Cauley, born in November 2022, and Miles Henry Cauley, born in January 2025.
Both children were at the 18th green at TPC Toronto when Bud rolled in the winning putt, a moment that visibly overwhelmed the 36-year-old father.
Bud Cauley’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Bud Cauley’s has an estimated net worth of $10 million.
He built this fortune primarily through PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour prize money — now exceeding $14 million in total career earnings — along with long-standing equipment and apparel endorsement deals with Titleist and FootJoy.
Career Prize Money
Cauley’s total career prize money surpassed $14 million by mid-2026, placing him among the more substantial earners given a career significantly interrupted by injury.
His most lucrative single payday came at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, where winning the tournament from a $9.8 million purse earned him $1.764 million.
His 2025 season set a new personal record at $3.4 million — powered by a near-win at The Players Championship and consistent top-25 finishes throughout the FedExCup schedule.
His best major championship result to date is a T32 at the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield and a T26 at the 2026 PGA Championship.
The Canadian Open win also secured a two-year PGA Tour exemption and a berth in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, adding further earning potential to the 2026 season.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season / Year | Tournament Wins | Prize Money Earned |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 (partial, 8 starts) | 0 | $735,150 |
| 2011–12 | 0 | $1,774,479 |
| 2013 | 0 | ~$480,000 (est.) |
| 2014 | 1 (Korn Ferry) | ~$420,000 (est.) |
| 2015 | 0 | ~$360,000 (est.) |
| 2016 | 0 | ~$350,000 (est.) |
| 2017 | 0 | $1,553,685 |
| 2018 (partial, pre-accident) | 0 | ~$400,000 (est.) |
| 2019 | 0 | ~$180,000 (est.) |
| 2020 (partial, complications) | 0 | ~$70,000 (est.) |
| 2021–2023 (off tour) | 0 | N/A |
| 2024 (return season) | 0 | ~$200,000 (est.) |
| 2025 | 0 | $3,400,000 |
| 2026 (through July) | 1 (RBC Canadian Open) | $2,000,000+ (ongoing) |
Endorsements
Bud Cauley is a brand ambassador for Titleist, one of the most respected equipment contracts in professional golf.
His winning bag at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open was stocked entirely with Titleist equipment — including a Titleist GT2 driver, GTS3 fairway wood, T250 and 620 MB irons, and Vokey Design SM11 wedges. He also plays the Titleist Pro V1 ball.
Cauley also has a long-standing endorsement with FootJoy, Titleist’s sister brand under Acushnet, covering shoes and apparel.
While neither Titleist nor FootJoy publicly discloses individual contract values, PGA Tour players at Cauley’s level typically earn between $200,000 and $500,000 annually from combined equipment and apparel deals.
With his profile rising sharply following the Canadian Open win, additional sponsorship conversations are expected.
His compelling comeback story makes him an appealing ambassador for brands targeting resilience and determination.
Career Statistics
| Year | Events Played | Titles Won | Majors Won | Cuts Made | Year-End OWGR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 (partial) | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ~100 |
| 2012 | ~25 | 0 | 0 | ~19 | 53 (career high) |
| 2013 | 24 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ~200 |
| 2014 | ~25 | 1 (KFT) | 0 | ~14 | ~180 |
| 2017 | ~27 | 0 | 0 | ~18 | ~100 |
| 2018 (partial) | ~12 | 0 | 0 | ~8 | ~200 |
| 2024 (return) | ~15 | 0 | 0 | ~8 | ~250 |
| 2025 | ~30 | 0 | 0 | ~21 | ~80 |
| 2026 (through July) | ~18 | 1 (PGA Tour) | 0 | ~13 | Top 40 |
FAQs
What is Bud Cauley’s total career prize money?
Bud Cauley’s total career prize money surpassed $14 million through July 2026, driven by his $3.4 million 2025 season and a $1.764 million single-tournament payout at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open.
How much did Bud Cauley earn for winning the RBC Canadian Open?
Cauley earned $1.764 million for winning the 2026 RBC Canadian Open — the largest single-tournament payout of his career, drawn from a $9.8 million total purse at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley.
What endorsement deals does Bud Cauley have?
Cauley is a brand ambassador for Titleist, using their clubs and Pro V1 golf balls, and is also endorsed by FootJoy for shoes and apparel. These deals are estimated to add several hundred thousand dollars to his annual earnings.
What is Bud Cauley’s current world ranking?
Following his win at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, Bud Cauley moved into the top 40 in the Official World Golf Ranking, a dramatic improvement from his pre-win position outside the top 60.
Has Bud Cauley ever won a Major championship?
His best Major results are a T32 at the 2013 Open Championship and a T26 at the 2026 PGA Championship. His 2026 Open Championship berth at Royal Birkdale offers his best opportunity yet on a major stage.
