A costly morning at the 2026 PGA Championship has already set Garrick Higgo back before he even struck his first ball. The South African golfer was hit with a two-shot penalty Thursday for arriving late to the tee for his 7:18 a.m. ET start time at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

According to the PGA rules committee, Higgo was on the practice putting green but "not within the area defined as the starting point at his starting time." The designated starting area for the first and 10th tees, as outlined in the tournament rules sheet, is marked by ropes, gallery stakes, and bike fencing. By failing to be present there at his scheduled time, Higgo violated Rule 5.3a, which requires players to be ready to start at their assigned time.

This penalty turned what should have been a routine opening hole into a nightmare. After the two-shot penalty was applied, Higgo made a double bogey to begin his round, putting him in an early hole that will require a strong comeback to climb the leaderboard. For a player looking to make his mark on the PGA stage, this is a tough lesson in the importance of course protocol and time management.

As the first round unfolds at Aronimink, all eyes will be on Higgo to see how he responds to this early adversity. For golf fans and players alike, it's a reminder that even the smallest details—like being on the right patch of grass at the right time—can have a major impact on a championship run.