South African Golfer Penalized for Late Tee Time at PGA Championship
Garrick Higgo of South Africa faced a two-stroke penalty on Thursday after being late to his tee time at the PGA Championship, held at Aronimink Golf Club near Philadelphia. The incident occurred during the first round of the season's second major championship.
Higgo was on the practice putting green when his scheduled tee time of 7:18 a.m. arrived. According to the rules committee, the practice green was not considered part of the defined starting point for the round. The PGA of America's local rules specify that the starting point for holes 1 and 10 is marked by ropes, gallery stakes, green bike fencing, or blue markers.
“Higgo was on the practice putting green, but was not within the area defined as the starting point at his starting time,” the ruling stated. The penalty was applied under Rule 5.3a, which governs starting times. Had Higgo been more than five minutes late, he would have been disqualified.
Despite the setback, the 26-year-old golfer remained composed. He made two birdies on his front nine to recover to even par, showing resilience under pressure. The incident serves as a reminder of the strict punctuality rules in professional golf, especially at major tournaments.
Higgo's penalty came as a surprise to many, as being on the practice green is typically considered close enough. However, the rules are clear, and the committee enforced them without exception. The PGA Championship continues with Higgo looking to overcome the early deficit.
