After 239 PGA Tour starts and years of perseverance, Titleist staffer Bud Cauley finally broke through for his first PGA Tour victory at the 2026 RBC Canadian Open. The win was especially meaningful given Cauley’s remarkable comeback from the serious car accident he suffered in 2018. At TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley, Cauley leaned on precise ball striking, elite iron play, and a familiar Titleist-heavy setup to capture the title.
Here’s a closer look at the clubs that helped Cauley secure his long-awaited first PGA Tour win.
Driver: Titleist GTS2 (8°) – Shop Now
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 6 X
Cauley trusts a low-lofted 8-degree GTS2 driver paired with one of the most popular shafts on Tour, the Ventus Black VeloCore+. The combination delivers low spin, stability, and penetrating ball flight—ideal for a player who prioritizes control without sacrificing distance. Honestly, for only being 5’7” and weighing in at less than 150 pounds, he pounds it on average 303.7 yards per drive, good enough for 83rd on Tour.
Fairway Wood: Titleist GTS3 (15°) – Shop Now
Setting: B1 SureFit
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Red 70 TX
The GTS3 gives Cauley versatility both off the tee and from the fairway. The Tensei 1K Pro Red shaft adds a touch of launch while maintaining the stability Tour players demand.
Utility Iron: Titleist U505 (3-iron) – Shop Now
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 8 X
Instead of carrying multiple hybrids or a trendy 7/9 wood, Cauley opted for a utility iron that produces a penetrating trajectory and dependable distance control. It’s a setup commonly favored by elite ball strikers playing softer greens.
Irons: Titleist T250 (4-iron) and Titleist 620 MB (5–9) – Shop Now
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S300
Cauley blends forgiveness and precision by pairing a more forgiving T250 long iron with classic muscle-back blades in the scoring clubs. The 620 MB irons reward center-face contact and allow for maximum shot shaping. This is a common combo setup for Tour players.
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11– Shop Now
- 48° (10F)
- 52° (12F)
- 56° (14F)
- 60° WedgeWorks K Grind
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S300
VOKEY, VOKEY, VOKEY!!! Cauley’s four-wedge setup gives him precise yardage gaps throughout the scoring range. The specialized K Grind lob wedge offers additional versatility around the greens, especially from bunkers and thick rough. With only 6 degrees of bounce, we’re guessing he keeps this lobber in his bag this week at Shinnecock.
Putter: Scotty Cameron GOLO 7 S1 Tour
Every winning bag needs a hot putter, and Cauley’s Scotty Cameron delivered when it mattered most. His clutch putting on the back nine helped seal a two-shot victory and finally earn that elusive first Tour title. Not known for his putting prowess, last week, Cauley rolled his rock.
Golf Ball: Titleist Pro V1x – Shop Now
The Pro V1x remains one of the most played balls on professional tours thanks to its blend of distance, spin control, and consistency. It’s a fitting choice for a player who relies on precision from tee to green. Personally, I prefer the V1 over the V1x and Left Dash models, which are available for purchase almost everywhere golfers golf their balls.
Final Thoughts
Bud Cauley’s winning bag is a masterclass in simplicity and consistency – and Titleist through-and-through. Rather than chasing the latest trends (9 wood???), he relies on trusted equipment tailored to his strengths: elite ball striking and trajectory control.
After years of perseverance, that formula finally delivered a PGA Tour trophy in Canada—and perhaps the first of many to come.