Bud Cauley Bio
William Carl “Bud” Cauley III, born on March 16, 1990, in Daytona Beach, Florida, is an American professional golfer. A former standout at the University of Alabama, Cauley turned professional in 2011 and has built his career on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour. Over the years, he has earned recognition for his early success, his college achievements, and his determination through serious health setbacks.
Early Life and Background
William Carl Cauley III grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he was home schooled by his parents. The Florida setting gave him year-round access to golf courses, and he quickly rose through the junior ranks. He reached a top-five national ranking in junior golf and was ranked among the top 15 junior players in the world during his teenage years.
As a junior golfer, Cauley was selected for the 2006 Junior Ryder Cup team and represented the United States at the 2008 Junior World Golf Championships. In 2008, he shared medalist honors at the Toyota World Junior Amateur Championships. When he graduated to amateur events, he held the No. 1 spot in the American junior golf rankings, signaling his readiness for the next level.
Path to Professional Golf
Cauley chose to play college golf at the University of Alabama, where he became one of the most decorated players in program history. He was a three-time first-team Golfweek All-American during his three years with the Crimson Tide and was a finalist for the Hogan Award, presented to the nation’s top college golfer, in each of those three seasons. In 2009, he was named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Year and won the United States Collegiate Championship for his first collegiate title.
His amateur résumé also included winning the 2008 Players Amateur, a result that earned him a spot in the 2010 Verizon Heritage on the PGA Tour. He played in the 2009 and 2010 U.S. Amateur, beating the world’s top-ranked amateur, Rickie Fowler, in the first round of match play in 2009. In 2008, he also captured the Terra Cotta Invitational. Cauley was a member of the 2009 U.S. Walker Cup team, where he posted a 3-0-1 record, and was ranked No. 1 in amateur golf before turning professional.
Bud Cauley Career
Early Career (2011)
After his junior year at Alabama, Cauley qualified for the 2011 U.S. Open and chose to turn professional, giving up his final season of college eligibility. He made an immediate impact, going without a missed cut in his first four PGA Tour starts, including a tie for fourth at the Viking Classic. He also tied for fourth at the Nationwide Tour’s Utah Championship and made the cut at the 2011 U.S. Open, finishing tied for 63rd.
That season, Cauley earned $735,150 across eight PGA Tour starts, a figure that placed him at the equivalent of 116th on the 2011 money list. He finished third at the Frys.com Open for $340,000. By the end of the year, he had joined a short list of players, including Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, and Tiger Woods, who bypassed qualifying school and went directly to the PGA Tour after college.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2012-2013)
In 2012, Cauley posted four top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, and by the end of July of that year, he had climbed into the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking. His steady play that season established him as a full-time presence on tour and showcased the consistency that had marked his amateur career.
The 2013 season proved more difficult, as Cauley made only 10 cuts in 24 events. He played his way back through the Web.com Tour Finals, finishing 18th to retain his PGA Tour card for 2014. That late-season rally preserved his status on golf’s top circuit.
Recovery and Return (2018-2024)
In June 2018, Cauley suffered five broken ribs, a broken left leg, and a collapsed lung in a car crash in Dublin, Ohio. After months of recovery, he returned to golf in October 2018 and played events over the next two years. In September 2020, he developed medical complications that kept him out of competition, and he did not return until a Korn Ferry Tour event in January 2024.
2025 Season Outlook
As of 2025, Cauley continues his professional career with a focus on regaining full-time status. His return to the Korn Ferry Tour in 2024 marked the start of a new chapter, and his experience on the PGA Tour provides a strong foundation for the seasons ahead. With his injury hurdles behind him, Cauley enters 2025 aiming to build momentum and compete for playing opportunities on the top tours.
Bud Cauley Career Wins
Throughout his career, William Carl “Bud” Cauley III has collected wins at the amateur, collegiate, and developmental professional levels. His amateur titles include the Players Amateur and the Terra Cotta Invitational, and he has recorded one Web.com Tour win. On the PGA Tour, he has posted multiple top-10 finishes, with his best results coming during his early years on tour.
Web.com Tour Highlights
Cauley has recorded one Web.com Tour victory, which contributed to his path back to the PGA Tour. The win remains a key milestone in his professional development, and his strong showing in the 2013 Web.com Tour Finals further demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure.
Other Wins and Performances
In addition to his Web.com Tour success, Cauley captured multiple amateur and collegiate titles. He won the United States Collegiate Championship, the Players Amateur, and the Terra Cotta Invitational. He also shared medalist honors at the 2008 Toyota World Junior Amateur Championships, underlining his pedigree as one of the top American amateurs of his generation.
Bud Cauley Family
Family Background and Personal Life
William Carl “Bud” Cauley III was born and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida, where his parents home schooled him. Public details about his immediate family remain limited, and the focus of his public profile has centered on his golf career. He is an American by nationality and has made his home in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
Cauley has kept most of his personal life out of the public eye, and verified information about a spouse or children has not been publicly confirmed. His story, from junior prodigy to PGA Tour competitor and injury survivor, has been the defining narrative of his career.