Eight years ago, Justin Thomas heard of Bud Cauley’s near-fatal car crash during the Memorial Tournament. The incident shook him so deeply that he later admitted he couldn’t even focus on a shot. let alone hit one, until he knew his friend was safe. Now, on Sunday at the RBC Canadian Open, Cauley has completed one of golf’s most remarkable comeback stories. After a brilliant, final-round 65 secured him the RBC Canadian Open title on Sunday, Thomas could hardly contain his happiness for one of his closest friends.

Justin Thomas is thrilled as he shares a post on X. “I love @BudCauley. Let’s go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Thomas and Cauley’s friendship goes back to their university days. Both of them graduated from the University of Alabama, but Cauley had already turned pro by the time Thomas arrived on campus. However, their bond deepened quickly through frequent campus visits and overlapping friend circles, eventually leading them to become roommates in the golfer enclave of Jupiter, Florida. They ultimately stood in each other’s weddings, with Thomas serving as Cauley’s best man.

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After missing the cut at the 2018 Memorial Tournament, Cauley was a passenger in the backseat of a car that lost control late Friday night near Muirfield Village Golf Club. The vehicle struck a culvert and went completely airborne, smashing into a massive tree right outside the home of then-Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer before flipping upside down into a ditch.

Four people were hurt in the crash, including former hockey player James Wisniewski. However, Bud Cauley was the most injured. When rescue workers arrived, he was trapped in the car and could not move. He had a broken leg, six broken ribs, and a collapsed lung that made it very hard for him to breathe.

When JT heard the news, he dropped everything. He rushed to the hospital and stayed by his friend’s side all night during the scariest moments. The next morning, he had to leave and go back to the golf course to play his round.

“I couldn’t hit a shot, couldn’t play a hole without thinking about him,” he admitted at the time.

Though surgeons successfully inserted four metal plates into his ribs, allowing Cauley to attempt a brave return just four months later, the damage was severe. Agonizing residual pain sidelined him for nearly three and a half years, forcing him through multiple surgeries and endless setbacks. Yet, through it all, Thomas remained a constant anchor, supporting his best friend every step of the way until Sunday’s emotional triumph.

When Cauley finally returned at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open, Thomas said, “He is one of my best friends in the world. I just wanted to keep him positive. It’s going to work out; just time will heal.”

In fact, the 2-time major champion has supported his friend through the recovery and encouraged him to keep playing through money games in South Florida. At the 2025 Players Championship, Bud Cauley finished T6; he again cheered for him inside the ropes.

“I would do some really, really weird things for Bud to win today. I just want him to play well so badly because I know how badly he wants it. It would be a shame if he doesn’t win any time soon on the tour.”

Nearly eight years after the crash, Cauley won his first PGA Tour title in his 239th start. Cauley won his first PGA Tour title in his 239th start. As he shared the news on Instagram, Thomas could not stop himself from cheering him once again as he said, ” You dropped this 👑”

This is a moment worth celebrating for the 36-year-old golfer, and his family was right there beside him to share in the joy.

Bud Cauley’s family couldn’t be prouder of him

Tears ran down Bud Cauley’s face as his family rushed over to hug him. In that moment, all the years of pain and hard work finally felt worth it.

During the interview after the round, reporter Amanda Balionis lowered the microphone to Cauley’s oldest son, who was standing right there on the ground. The 3-year-old boy’s simple words cut through everything as he looked up and said,

“Good job, Dad.”

Cauley’s voice trembled as he tried to put the victory into perspective. “I hit a lot of good shots. I made a lot of good putts. I got a great break on 16, which was nice,” he said. “I’m just very proud of the way I kept going and continued to make birdies on the back nine. I’m so happy.”

Years of uncertainty have given way to something else. Now, Cauley leaves with a $1.7 million winner’s prize and a place in the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. Will he carry the momentum forward?