Two-stroke penalty issued after player arrives late to PGA Championship tee

Garrick Higgo was assessed a two-stroke penalty during the opening round of the PGA Championship after arriving late to his starting position on the first tee.

The ruling was confirmed by the PGA of America Rules Committee shortly after Higgo began his round at Aronimink Golf Club.

“Garrick Higgo, from South Africa, was penalized two-strokes for being late to the tee (7:18am Tee #1) during round one of the PGA Championship,” the committee said in a statement.

Although Higgo was on the practice putting green ahead of his tee time, officials determined he was not within the designated starting area at exactly 7:18am local time.

The 27-year-old South African is grouped alongside Shaun Micheel and Michael Brennan for the first two rounds. 

Under PGA of America Local Rules, the starting point for the first and 10th tees is defined by ropes, gallery stakes, fencing and blue markings surrounding the teeing ground. 

Rule 5.3a states that players must be “ready to play at the starting time and starting point set by the Committee.”

Players who arrive ready to play within five minutes of their allotted tee time receive the general penalty of two strokes rather than disqualification.

Higgo’s difficult start worsened when he carded a double bogey on his opening hole, effectively dropping four shots within minutes of beginning his championship.

However, the two-time PGA Tour winner responded impressively, clawing back the penalty shots with birdies at the third and ninth holes during his outward nine.

Higgo is making his eighth career appearance in a major championship this week. The South African has won twice on the PGA Tour and three times on the DP World Tour, and arrived at Aronimink ranked No. 85 in the Official World Golf Ranking.