Garrick Higgo's Late Tee Time Just Cost Him 2 Strokes at the PGA Championship

South Africa's Garrick Higgo showed up late to the biggest moment of his tournament, and the PGA Championship made him pay for it immediately. The 27-year-old arrived after his scheduled 7:18 a.m. tee time Thursday at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, and officials hit him with a two-stroke penalty before he even stepped foot on the course. That's not a warning. That's not a slap on the wrist. That's two shots gone before the round even started.

The Damage Was Real From the Opening Shot

Higgo was paired alongside Michael Brennan and Shaun Micheel for the first round. With that penalty hanging over his head, he opened the par-4 first hole with a double bogey. Not ideal when you're already in the hole. But credit where it's due, the guy didn't pack it in. He fought back with birdies on holes 3 and 9 to make the turn at even par, which tells you something about his mental toughness after getting absolutely hammered by the rules officials before round one even truly began.

This Was His Chance to Break Through

Higgo sits at No. 85 in the world rankings and is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, so he's not some unknown. This was his fourth appearance at the PGA Championship, and he was hunting for something he's never done: a top-40 finish in any major. That's a specific goal. That's what he came to Aronimink to prove. Instead, he started with a two-stroke hole that he had to climb out of before the first putt even dropped.

Being late at a major championship isn't just about losing two strokes. It's about the mental game, the momentum, and the story you're telling about yourself before you've even had a chance to tell a story on the scorecard. Higgo gave himself an unnecessarily steep mountain to climb on a day when every stroke matters.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.