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Bud Cauley

Bud Cauley is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bud Cauley is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. He turned professional in 2011 after a successful amateur career at the University of Alabama and won his first PGA Tour title at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open.

Early life and amateur career

Bud Cauley was born William Carl Cauley III on March 16, 1990, in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. He played college golf at the University of Alabama and had a strong amateur profile before turning professional in 2011.

Professional career

Cauley joined the PGA Tour in 2011 and established himself as a regular tour player. After returning from a long injury layoff caused by a 2018 car accident, he captured his first PGA Tour victory at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open.

Injury and comeback

A 2018 car accident severely disrupted Cauley’s career and kept him away from the PGA Tour for more than three years. Reports note that he underwent multiple surgeries before returning to competitive golf.

Personal life

PGA Tour profile information lists Cauley’s residence as Jupiter, Florida, and family members including his wife Kristi and children Cooper and Miles. Public profiles also note that he plays golf right-handed.

Key facts

  • Cauley is an American professional golfer on the PGA Tour.
  • He was born on March 16, 1990, and is from Daytona Beach, Florida.
  • He played college golf at the University of Alabama and turned professional in 2011.
  • He won his first PGA Tour event at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open.
  • He returned to top-level competition after a serious 2018 car accident.
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Canadian context

Bud Cauley’s first PGA Tour victory came at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open, a significant result for Canadian golf fans and a notable win on the Canadian national open.[7]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Bud Cauley?
Bud Cauley is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour.
What is Bud Cauley’s full name?
His full name is William Carl Cauley III.
When was Bud Cauley born?
He was born on March 16, 1990.
What college did Bud Cauley attend?
He attended the University of Alabama.
Has Bud Cauley won on the PGA Tour?
Yes. He won his first PGA Tour title at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open.
Why is Bud Cauley known for a comeback story?
He returned after a serious 2018 car accident and several years away from the PGA Tour.

References

  1. PGA TOUR — https://www.pgatour.com/player/34021/bud-cauley
    Supports: Birthplace, nationality, age, turn pro year, college, and tour wins/profile details.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bud_Cauley
    Supports: Full name, birth date, nationality, and current tour biography.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/golf/player/_/id/5338/bud-cauley
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, college, swing, and turn-pro year.
  4. PGA TOUR — https://www.pgatour.com/player/34021/bud-cauley/bio
    Supports: Residence, family, birthplace, college, birthday, and biographical details.
  5. The Open — https://www.theopen.com/players/bud-cauley
    Supports: Amateur background, car crash comeback, and qualifier/return context.
  6. Golfweek — https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/pga/2026/06/14/2026-rbc-canadian-open-bud-cauley-wins/90551388007/
    Supports: 2026 RBC Canadian Open victory and comeback narrative.