South Africa's Garrick Higgo learned a tough lesson in punctuality at the US PGA Championship, where a one-minute delay cost him a share of the clubhouse lead. The 27-year-old was slapped with a rare two-shot penalty before even hitting a ball, turning what could have been a dream start into a frustrating grind.
Higgo arrived at the first tee just seconds late, only to find his playing partners already in motion. The penalty forced him to card a double-bogey six on the opening hole at Aronimink, a brutal way to begin a major championship. But showing the resilience that makes golf such a compelling sport, he bounced back with four birdies to post a one-under 69.
When Higgo walked off the course around 12:45 local time, that score would have put him in a tie for the lead with fellow South African Aldrich Potgieter. Instead, he found himself looking up at the leaderboard from two shots back, wondering what might have been.
"I always cut it fine, and this morning was pretty cold," Higgo told Sky Sports, explaining his pre-round routine. "I never want to get to the tee 10 minutes before and get cold when I have to hit a driver. Usually, I hit five putts before I go to the tee and went there thinking I had five minutes—but I obviously did not."
The drama unfolded quickly. Higgo was still on the practice putting green when he heard his name called. "I hit one putt, I thought I heard my name, my caddie was yelling at me, and I ran down," he recalled. Tournament officials ruled that he was "not within the area defined as the starting point at his starting time," triggering the two-shot penalty under the PGA of America's local rules.
Had he been five minutes late, Higgo would have faced disqualification from the second men's major of the season. As it was, he arrived just seconds after one of his playing partners had already hit his drive. A rules official delivered the news, and Higgo knew better than to argue. "I didn't say anything—I knew I had to get myself ready. I couldn't argue with him and then hit it out of bounds," he said.
After his round, Higgo discussed the incident with PGA of America officials in the clubhouse, but the penalty stood. It's a harsh reminder that in professional golf, every second counts—and even a moment's delay can change the course of a tournament.
For fans watching at home, Higgo's story is a testament to the mental toughness required at the highest level. Despite the setback, he kept his composure and played a solid round. And for those of us who love the game, it's a reminder that the right gear—from a reliable watch to comfortable layers for those chilly morning rounds—can make all the difference in staying on schedule and focused on the shot at hand.