Big Rig's US Open Comeback
Harry Higgs, 'The Big Rig,' Makes US Open Cut After Battling Mental Health Issues
Harry Higgs was ready to quit golf entirely just days before teeing off at the US Open. Now, 'the Big Rig' is playing the weekend at Shinnecock Hills — making his first cut on the PGA Tour in all of 2026 — after shooting a 3-under 68 in Friday's second round, according to AP News.
Higgs entered the tournament as what he believes was the 156th and final player added to the 156-man field, slipping in as an alternate after Bud Cauley's win at the Canadian Open freed up a spot. He sits at 1-under total, seven shots behind leader Wyndham Clark, per San Mateo Daily Journal.
From Nearly Quitting to Making the Cut
Just before the tournament, Higgs was burned out. AP News reported he was exhausted by the mental beatings he gave himself after a brutal 2026 season. He had not made a single cut on the PGA Tour all year. He was close to walking away from the sport for good.
The call came Monday, June 15. Higgs learned he was in the field and flew from Texas to New York. He arrived late, exhausted, and never bothered to unpack his suitcase, according to Caledonian Record. That choice would cause problems the very next morning.
Shorts at Shinnecock: The 3:30 AM Wardrobe Disaster
Higgs woke up at 3:30 AM Thursday for his Round 1 tee time. With his clothes still packed, he grabbed what he thought were gray pants. They were gray shorts. He only realized the mistake after arriving at Shinnecock Hills, where USGA rules require pants, NH Register reported.
A frantic fix followed. Higgs scrambled to borrow a pair of pants until his wife could rush his own pair to the course. He still managed to shoot a 1-over 71 in Round 1, landing in a tie for 30th. The right pants showed up. So did his game.
A 75-Foot Birdie Putt and a Round to Remember
Friday's round was a different story. Higgs drained a 75-foot birdie putt on the par-3 11th hole after missing the green entirely. He called it a 'magic trick.' He finished with a 3-under 68 — one of the best rounds of the day — per AP News.
Higgs described the feeling afterward. "I let the day build and build and build, and man, I felt like a rock star out there," he said. "I felt like I could do anything." It was a sharp contrast to the player who had considered never picking up a club again just days earlier.
Mental Health, Momentum, and What Comes Next
Higgs has been open about his struggles. He described his old anxiety spirals as '10 out of 10 freakouts.' This week, he kept them at a '3 out of 10.' That shift in mindset, he says, is what made the difference. His story echoes a broader conversation about mental health in pro golf since Grayson Murray's death in 2024, according to Leader Telegram.
A strong finish at Shinnecock Hills could reshape Higgs' entire season. A top-20 result would boost his standing on the PGA Tour and potentially secure his card for next year. He enters the weekend six shots back from Clark, but in golf — and clearly in life — Higgs has shown things can change fast, per Chron.
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