CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 15: Garrick Higgo of South Africa looks on while playing the 16th hole during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Garrick Higgo was given a two-stroke penalty for being late to his tee time on Thursday morning of Round 1 of the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
Higgo was scheduled to tee off on hole one at 7:18 am ET. However, Higgo arrived at the tee box one minute late. Per Rule 5.3a of the PGA of America’s Local Rules and Terms of the Competition, players must be ready to play at the starting time and starting point. Higgo did not arrive at his hole 1 starting point prior to his starting time and was assessed the two-stroke penalty prior to teeing off. The PGA of America stated in a press release that Higgo was on the practice green, but not within the area defined under Rule 5.3a as the starting point at his starting time.
Despite the penalty, Higgo went on to card a one under par 69, which put him in a tie for 13th with a host of other players. Without the penalty, Higgo would have been tied for the lead at the end of Round 1.
“The rule is if you’re one second late, you’re late. I was obviously there on time, but late, and that’s a two-shot penalty,” Higgo said, after carding a 1-under 69 in the first round. “I wouldn’t have been late if I knew I was running late.” “Obviously, this is the first time it’s happened. I wasn’t sure quite what. I was just happy they allowed me to tee off, firstly, you know what I mean? I was bummed when he said I had a two-shot penalty.”
While Higgo wasn’t able to make it to the tee-box on time, he was early enough to the golf course, arriving before sunrise to work out, warm up at the practice range, and work on short game and putting. Higgo arrived at the hole 1 tee box as his caddie was calling out to him, but the damage was already done. Higgo is scheduled to begin his Round 2 at 12:43 pm ET.