Garrick Higgo Penalized Two Strokes for Late Tee Time at PGA Championship

South African golfer Garrick Higgo began the first round of the PGA Championship on May 14, 2026, with a two-stroke penalty after being ruled late to his designated tee time.

The penalty was issued by the PGA of America Rule Committee during the opening round at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. Higgo was scheduled to begin his round at 7:18 am at Tee #1.

According to the PGA of America, the penalty was assessed because Higgo was not present at the starting point at his assigned time. While the golfer was on the practice putting green, the committee determined he was not within the specific area defined as the starting point when the clock hit 7:18 am.

Defining the Starting Point

The ruling relied on the PGA of America’s Local Rules and Terms of the Competition, which provide a precise definition of where a player must be to be considered present for their round. For the first and 10th tees, the starting point is delineated by specific physical markers.

The rules state that the starting point is defined by the following markers:

• Rope
• Gallery stakes
• Green bike fencing
• Blue stakes, blue dots, or blue lines

Because Higgo remained on the practice green and had not entered the area marked by these boundaries by his start time, he was found to be in breach of the competition’s requirements.

Application of Rule 5.3a

The committee applied Rule 5.3a, which governs when a player must start their round. Under this rule, a player is required to be ready to play at the starting time and starting point set by the Committee.

The regulations emphasize that starting times are treated as exact times. As an example, the rules clarify that a 9 am start time means 9:00:00 am, not any time until 9:01 am.

Failure to adhere to the starting time typically results in disqualification. However, the rules provide specific exceptions to this penalty. One such exception applies when a player arrives at the starting point, ready to play, no more than five minutes late.

In such instances, the player is not disqualified but instead receives the general penalty, which is two strokes applied to their first hole.

Impact on Round One

The two-shot penalty created an immediate deficit for the two-time PGA Tour winner. Reporting from Golf Channel indicated that video footage showed Higgo arriving at the tee as his fellow playing competitor was already preparing to play.

The combination of the rules violation and his performance on the opening hole resulted in a difficult start to the tournament. Higgo recorded a double bogey on the first hole of the first round.

The ruling underscores the strict adherence to timing and positioning required at major championships, where the Committee enforces exact starting parameters to maintain the pace of play and tournament schedule.