Garrick Higgo leads the Sanderson Farms Championship
In a standout performance, Garrick Higgo takes the lead at the Sanderson Farms Championship, a key event in the fall series. The South African golfer demonstrated his skill by remaining calm and taking advantage of birdie opportunities to close the day with an impressive 66, six under par. Higgo achieved three consecutive birdies in the final stretch of his round at the Jackson Country Club. One of them, on the 15th hole, was close to being an eagle, demonstrating his skill on the course. With a total of 13 under par (131), Higgo leads by one stroke over Eric Cole (67) and Taylor Montgomery, who stood out with nine birdies in ten holes, despite a bogey. Montgomery sealed his round with a 25-foot birdie, boosting his chances of securing his PGA Tour card for 2026. It should be noted that only the top 100 players will retain their full PGA Tour card after the fall series, with five tournaments remaining on the schedule. Eric Cole, for his part, accumulated ten birdies in the opening round, although with a double bogey. In the second round, he added seven more birdies, preparing for the final round in search of his first PGA Tour title. Danny Walker (68) is two strokes away, in a crucial week for him, as he is ranked 104th in the FedEx Cup. Vince Whaley (No. 102 in the ranking) and Tom Kim (No. 99) are also in contention, three strokes behind the leader.Higgo already has a victory on the PGA Tour this year, achieved at the Puntacana Championship, an event following the Masters. However, a labrum injury almost ruined the rest of his season. After considering surgery, Higgo opted for a change in his fitness routine, reducing weightlifting and adopting a smarter approach.I’ve made a lot of cuts and I feel like I’ve played well in the last six months. It’s getting harder here and you need those big finishes, and I don’t feel like I’ve had that.
Vince Whaley
Higgo mentioned that the pain is now minimal, although he gets tired more quickly than usual. He feels optimistic and on the right track. Higgo shared the experience of playing in the final group with Scottie Scheffler at the Procore Championship, where he tied for seventh place. This week, at the Sanderson Farms, he seeks to maintain his good performance. Unlike other players, his position in the FedEx Cup is less relevant, as his victory at the Puntacana Championship secures his PGA Tour card and his participation in The Players Championship. Fall series events no longer grant invitations to the Masters. The final round with Scheffler was a revealing experience for Higgo, observing how the world number one operates and achieves victories.It didn’t hurt in my swing, but walking made it a lot worse, and then it would pinch the next day. So I’m just figuring out how to avoid that. I’ve changed the way I train, being a little smarter with it, I would say.
Garrick Higgo
I couldn’t tell you how much I learned, but I learned a lot just by watching. He’s an inspiration to all of us. He has set the bar very high. His skill level is phenomenal.
Garrick Higgo
