Despite dealing with bad form himself, if there’s one golfer Justin Thomas wants to see take home THE PLAYERS Championship win, it is Bud Cauley. Undoubtedly, this desire stems from their long-standing friendship, but it also relates to Cauley’s remarkable recovery in the years following the horrific car crash in 2018, which resulted in six broken ribs. Unfortunately, the challenges didn’t stop there. After the initial recovery, Cauley experienced pain in his right side, prompting visits to doctors who suspected complications related to plates in his chest. What followed?

When the doctors attempted to remove the plates, they discovered that bone had grown over them. After surgery, his incision unexpectedly popped open, resulting in a hole in his chest. Consequently, the golfer had to step back from the sport to fully recover. After three years, Bud Cauley made a stunning appearance at TPC Sawgrass, currently ranked 6th in the suspended final round.

Just like his fans, Thomas doesn’t shy away from discussing his friend, either. So, what impresses Thomas the most about Cauley’s game and road to recovery? “He’s such a good player.” The World No. 9 added that it would be a crime for Bud Cauley not to win. Unfortunately, in his more than 200 attempts in PGA Tour events, Cauley hasn’t registered a single win. But Thomas believes in him. “He’s one of those kind of — he’s just got that much game. Obviously I think the world of him. He’s one of the funniest, best dudes I know. Man, he’s just been through a lot.” So, does seeing his friend swing make him happy?

“I’m just happy to have him out here and playing and seeing him all the time again. I would love to see him finish strong here and then have a chance come the last hole or two.” Undoubtedly, the next best thing to his winning would be to see Cauley win, as he stated, “Yeah, I probably wanted it too bad. I was telling Jill last night, I was like a nervous parent. I just want him to play well so bad, because I know how bad he wants it. And it’s a huge stage, it’s a big, big moment. There’s a lot of golf left, he hasn’t gotten off to the start he’s wanted, I’m sure, but he’s right there. ” Justin THomas hasn’t had a win in a long while now, and while he has had some great performances, he has a fair chance of achieving a title in the 2025 season. His best finish was a T2 at the American Express earlier this year. So this statement by Thomas does speak volumes of how big hearted the golfer is.

Undoubtedly, Bud Cauley’s return to the golf greens will take some time. This season, Cauley has played four events, with his best finish being T21 at the WM Phoenix Open. It will take time, but Thomas has hope in him. So, let’s take a brief glimpse at their friendship after the accident.

Justin Thomas and Bud Cauley’s friendship through the accident

Bud Cauley and Justin Thomas first crossed paths when Cauley was a junior in high school; however, they didn’t connect until after graduation. Reflecting on that time, Thomas mentioned in 2017 that he always looked up to Cauley. “He was the first person I reached out to once I got on tour [in 2014]. We started playing together and hanging out more. He’s kind of become one of my best friends.” Fast forward to 2018, and Cauley experienced a life-altering accident.

Discussing it now, Thomas expresses that dealing with it all was overwhelming. It happened so fast. “It just was — it was a lot. Yeah, I wanted to be there to see how my friend was doing, but, you know, it just, it was a wild, crazy, bizarre, terrible night.” Did he go and see Cauley? Yes. Back in 2018, Thomas provided an update, saying Cauley was “doing a lot better.” Thomas was active on the greens then but struggled to focus on his game. “It calmed me a lot after seeing him,” Thomas said. “It sucks when your best friend’s in a serious car accident and there’s nothing you can do and nothing he can do.”

Thomas is not alone in his sentiments. A few days ago, Cauley admitted that the two talk less about golf and more about “life and stuff.” Undoubtedly, their friendship has stood the test of time—and it is quite beautiful to watch. Here’s to wishing them good luck!