PGA Championship star punished for breaking golden rule as statement released
South African golfer Garrick Higgo has been handed a two-stroke penalty on day one of the PGA Championship.
Garrick Higgo has been handed a two-stroke penalty after turning up late to his first-round tee-off time at the PGA Championship. The South African was scheduled to tee off at 7.18am alongside Michael Brennan and Shaun Micheel.
He was, however, deemed to have arrived late. It has since been confirmed that Higgo was on the practice putting green, but not within the designated area defined as the starting point at the required time.
Rule 5.3 states that a player will receive a two-stroke penalty upon arriving no more than five minutes late to their tee time. Should they be more than five minutes late, they face the prospect of disqualification.
In an official statement, The PGA of America Rules Committee said: "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 penalty resulted in Higgo making a double bogey on the opening hole to begin his round.
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He currently sits at T20 on the leaderboard on par, having picked up birdies on the third and ninth holes.
The 27-year-old is making his fourth appearance in the event and is chasing his first top-40 finish in any major championship.
He is a two-time PGA Tour winner, having claimed the Palmetto Championship in 2021 and the Corales Puntacana Championship last year.
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Higgo is ranked 85th in the official world golf rankings, with this marking his eighth major championship appearance since turning professional in 2019.
In the early stages of the Championship, Aldrich Potgieter (South Africa), Stephan Jager (Germany), Min Woo Lee (Australia) and Bud Cauley are currently tied in first with 3-under.
Masters champion Rory McIlroy teed off at 1.40pm and is currently on Par, leaving in in T22.
Reigning champion Scottie Scheffler is scheduled to begin his round at 7.05pm, alongside Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose.
