Meet Bud Cauley’s Caddie, David Gies: All You Need To Know About the PGA Tour Bagman

Bud Cauley completed the third round of the 2025 PLAYERS Championship in second place, trailing behind 54-hole leader J.J. Spaun by a single shot. Regardless of whether he wins or not, Cauley’s story has already become one of the most talked-about ones, and for good reason. You see, overcoming serious obstacles in recent years, his journey is a testament to resilience.

So, what happened was that in June 2018, after finishing his second round at the Memorial Tournament, Cauley was involved in a devastating car accident. He sustained six broken ribs, a fractured left leg, and a collapsed right lung. Despite the severity of his injuries, Cauley expressed immense gratitude for being alive, a perspective that reshaped his approach to life and golf. The road to being better was not easy, but having his parents, wife, kids, and caddie made it all easier.

Though Cauley’s longtime caddie, Tony Novarro, has been a constant presence throughout much of his journey, at TPC Sawgrass, Cauley had a different caddie, marking another significant moment in his inspiring journey. When asked about his caddie during the post-round press conference at the PLAYERS Championship, Cauley mentioned looper David Gies. So, who is Gies? Let us get to know him a bit more.

David Gies’s journey to being a bagman

David Gies, known for his work as a PGA Tour caddie, has carved a unique path through the world of golf. He started as a junior golfer before transitioning to collegiate play before ultimately choosing the caddie profession over pursuing a professional playing career. His deep understanding of the game laid the foundation for his success as a caddie. Gies’ big break came when he caddied at the Masters for U.S. Mid-Amateur champion Kevin O’Connell, an experience that solidified his love for the caddie role. From there, Gies continued working with PGA Tour players.

The list includes Johnson Wagner and Harrison Endycott, who recently triumphed at Q School. The relationship between Gies and Endycott has become a cornerstone of their success, with trust and communication playing key roles in their partnership. The work of a caddie extends far beyond carrying clubs. Gies is responsible for course strategy, offering mental support, and navigating high-pressure situations.

He shared insights from his time in tournaments, including the importance of focusing on achievable shots, like aiming for 20-foot putts, which has been crucial during tense moments, such as at Q School. Experienced bagmen like Gies play a pivotal behind-the-scenes role, not only handling physical tasks but also providing essential mental and strategic support for the players they work with.

Do you know there was a time when Gies had to decide whether to pursue a playing career or take the path of a caddie?

David Gies took a break from caddying

In 2018, David Gies II spent much of his time on the golf course, though not as a competitor. The 30-year-old from Charlotte, N.C., found himself at Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, N.Y., near the Canadian border, for the 61st edition of the Porter Cup, which began on Wednesday. Leading up to the event, Gies dedicated much of his time to caddying for Kevin O’Connell. Their collaboration started with O’Connell’s victory at the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship at Charlotte Country Club and continued with their appearances at the Masters in April and the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in June.

While many may assume that caddying is less stressful than competing, Gies held a different viewpoint. “As a player, you have a lot more control,” Gies said. “You’re making the decisions; you’re hitting the shots. On the bag, you don’t want to say the wrong thing… I think being a caddy is a little more nerve-wracking.” Gies had known success as a competitor himself, including a quarterfinal finish at the 2015 U.S. Mid-Am. However, he hadn’t played much competitive golf at the time. In June, he placed ninth over 54 holes at the Birmingham National Invitational but also missed the cut at the South Carolina Open. “I don’t know if I’ve played a four-round event this year,” he said. Gies grew up surrounded by golf. His father, also named David, was a golf professional.

David Gies managed the caddie program at Quail Hollow Club, a role that provided him with the flexibility to focus on improving his own game. “I’m fortunate to be in a place where my boss really encourages me to work on my game and keep improving,” Gies shared. “Playing golf and competing in tournaments is something I really value.” His work schedule was adaptable enough to allow him to participate in tournaments. “It’s relatively easy to ask for time off to play,” he explained. “Of course, you can’t take time off every week due to financial reasons, but I have the best boss when it comes to supporting my practice and tournament play.”

This marked Gies’s third time competing in the Porter Cup. A self-proclaimed enthusiast of golf course architecture, he carefully planned his summer tournament schedule around the courses he wanted to experience. “Ever since I graduated from North Alabama, I choose my schedule based on the courses,” he explained. “I have a particular fondness for classic, traditional courses. Whenever I enter a U.S. Mid-Am or U.S. Amateur qualifier, I always select a location where I know the course will be enjoyable.” Gies is especially fond of the works of Golden Age architect Seth Raynor, and he has played at the Camargo Club in Cincinnati, one of the courses used for a U.S. Amateur qualifier.

“It just makes the travel more enjoyable when you get to play a great course with some history behind it,” he said. The design of Niagara Falls Country Club, originally by A.W. Tillinghast and later modified by Robert Trent Jones Sr., Geoffrey Cornish, and Brian Silva, dates back to 1919. For the Porter Cup, the course played to 6,871 yards with a par of 70. The Porter Cup, which started in 1959 as the International Invitation, originally featured a field made up mainly of college players and businessmen from Western New York and Southern Ontario.

What are your thoughts on David Gies and his journey in golf? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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