Garrick Higgo Penalized for Late Tee Time at PGA Championship South African golfer Garrick Higgo was assessed a two-stroke penalty for arriving late to his first-round tee time at the 2026 PGA Championship. The PGA of America announced the decision, citing Rule 5.3 of the Rules of Golf, which states players arriving no more than five minutes late to their scheduled tee time receive a two-stroke penalty. Higgo, who was scheduled to tee off at 7:18 a.m. alongside Michael Brennan and Shaun Micheel, arrived at the designated tee at 7:19 a.m., as reported by the ESPN broadcast. The delay resulted in a double bogey on the first hole. Higgo made a birdie on the third hole, bringing his score to 1-over par through eight holes. The PGA of America noted that Higgo was on the putting green but not “within the area defined as the starting point at his starting time” when he arrived. The penalty highlights the strict adherence to timekeeping in professional golf, where even minor delays trigger consequences. Higgo, a two-time PGA TOUR winner, is making his fourth appearance at the PGA Championship. This year’s event marks his third consecutive major championship, following his participation in the 2025 U.S. Open and 2025 Open Championship. Despite his experience, the penalty at Aronimink Golf Club underscores the challenges of maintaining precision in all aspects of the game. Higgo, who has yet to secure a top-40 finish in any major championship, is seeking to make his mark at the PGA Championship. The rules governing tee times are designed to ensure fairness and maintain competition integrity. Rule 5.3 explicitly states players must arrive at their designated tee time within the specified timeframe.#pga_of_america #pga_championship #garrick_higgo #michael_brennan #shaun_micheel
