On May 14, 2026, South Africa’s Garrick Higgo received a two-stroke penalty after arriving late to his first-round tee time at the PGA Championship in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.
Why it matters: Higgo's late arrival reflects the strict adherence to tournament rules, impacting his performance and potentially his chances in a major championship.
The penalty, classified as the 'general penalty' under Rule 5.3a, upgraded Higgo’s par on the opening hole to a double bogey six.
Higgo was scheduled to tee off at 7:18 a.m. ET alongside Shaun Micheel and Michael Brennan.
He was at the practice putting green but failed to be within the defined starting area at his scheduled time.
Driving the news: The incident occurred at Aronimink Golf Club, where Higgo's tardiness led to immediate consequences on his scorecard.
Higgo's double bogey on the par-4 first hole set a challenging tone for the rest of his round.
According to the PGA of America, players must be ready to play at their exact starting time and location, as defined by ropes and stakes.
If a player arrives within five minutes of their scheduled tee time, they incur a two-stroke penalty; beyond that, disqualification is possible.
State of play: Following the penalty, Higgo managed to recover somewhat during the round.
He birdied holes 3 and 9, finishing the front nine at even par.
Higgo is currently ranked No. 85 in the world and is seeking his first top-40 finish in any major championship.
This marks Higgo's fourth appearance at the PGA Championship, where he hopes to improve upon his previous performances.
The big picture: Higgo's situation shows the value of discipline and punctuality in professional golf.
As a two-time winner on the PGA Tour and three-time winner on the DP World Tour, Higgo's career is marked by potential and promise.
His late arrival serves as a reminder of the high stakes and rigorous regulations governing professional tournaments.
With the PGA Championship being one of golf's four majors, every stroke counts significantly toward a player's success and reputation.
What they're saying: Reactions to Higgo's penalty have been mixed, with some expressing sympathy and others emphasizing the need for strict adherence to rules.
"It’s unfortunate, but rules are rules," said a fellow competitor who wished to remain anonymous.
Golf analysts noted that such incidents can happen to any player, but the pressure of a major can amplify the consequences.
Many fans hope Higgo can bounce back and demonstrate his skill in the remaining rounds of the tournament.
By the numbers: Higgo's scorecard and statistics from the round paint a vivid picture of his performance.
His two-stroke penalty resulted in a double bogey on hole one, shifting his starting score significantly.
Birdies on holes 3 and 9 helped him return to even par at the turn.
Ranked No. 85 globally, Higgo has a best finish of T40 this year at the Cognizant Classic.
What's next: As the tournament progresses, Higgo faces a steep challenge to regain momentum.
He will need to maintain focus and capitalize on scoring opportunities in the upcoming rounds to secure a respectable finish.
With the pressure mounting, Higgo's ability to recover from this setback will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
The PGA Championship continues over the next few days, providing him with ample opportunity to improve his standing.