Golf is a game of precision, patience, and—as Garrick Higgo just learned—punctuality. The South African pro faced a costly two-stroke penalty at the PGA Championship for being late to his 7:18 a.m. tee time in the first round at Aronimink Golf Club.

According to the PGA of America, Higgo was on the practice green when his scheduled start arrived, not on the first tee. While the path from the practice area to the first tee is tight, it's certainly manageable—if you give yourself enough time. A rules official met Higgo as he walked onto the tee, informing him he was about a minute late and would be penalized two strokes.

The penalty is clear under PGA rules: players must be ready to play at their exact starting time—9:00 means 9:00:00, not 9:01. Higgo was fortunate it wasn't worse; arriving five minutes late would have meant automatic disqualification.

Despite the double-bogey start, Higgo showed real grit, battling back to even par by the turn. The 85th-ranked player in the world has two PGA Tour wins to his name, including the Corales Puntacana Championship in April 2025. This marks his fourth PGA Championship appearance, with his best finish—T55—coming last year at Quail Hollow.

For golfers everywhere, it's a reminder that showing up on time is just as important as showing up with the right gear. Whether you're teeing it up in a major or a weekend round with friends, being ready when it's your turn can save you from an unnecessary stumble out of the gate.