Garrick Higgo learned a tough lesson in punctuality at the 2026 PGA Championship—and he's not happy about it. The South African golfer was slapped with a two-shot penalty for arriving just one minute late to his 7:18 a.m. ET tee time on Thursday at Aronimink Golf Club. The penalty, handed down under Rule 5.3a, turned what could have been a stellar opening round into a frustrating start to the major.

Higgo's group was already on the tee when he showed up, and while a one-minute delay might seem minor, the rules are clear: a player must be "ready to play" at the designated starting time. Under the PGA of America's local rules, the starting point is defined by markers like ropes, stakes, and blue lines, and any tardiness—no matter how brief—triggers the penalty. Had Higgo been five or more minutes late, he would have faced disqualification.

Despite the setback, Higgo managed to card a solid 1-under 69, a score that would have been a 67—and a share of the early lead—without the penalty. But the sting of the two strokes lingered long after his round. Higgo spent 20 minutes in the scoring area pleading his case, with his playing partners even chiming in to argue on his behalf. The committee, however, stood firm.

"I wasn't that late," Higgo said. "When I got there, I was supposed to tee off last anyway, and Shaun (Micheel) hadn't even been announced yet. I asked my group if I bothered them, and they said it was fine. I obviously don't want to bother anybody."

Higgo acknowledged that his casual demeanor may have worked against him. "If you know me, then you know I am very casual and laid back," he said. "I don't want to be there ten minutes early. I know five minutes is fine. I thought I had time. I was obviously too casual."

For a player who prides himself on staying relaxed under pressure, this was a costly miscalculation. The penalty not only dented his scorecard but also served as a reminder that in major championship golf, every second counts. Despite the controversy, Higgo's under-par opening round at a major shows his game is in good shape—he'll just need to set his alarm a little earlier for the rest of the week.