Garrick Higgo was hit with a two-shot penalty before his PGA Championship even began. 😬

Rare penalty enforced after pro shows up late to tee time at PGA Championship

Garrick Higgo’s 2026 PGA Championship got off to the worst possible start before he even hit his opening tee shot. The South African golfer was handed a rare two-shot penalty after arriving late to his scheduled tee time, immediately putting himself behind the field at one of golf’s biggest events. 😬

Under PGA Championship rules, players are expected to be at their assigned starting tee and ready to play at the exact time listed on the official schedule. Higgo reportedly missed that deadline by a small margin, but even a brief delay can carry serious consequences at a major championship where rules are enforced strictly.

Instead of being disqualified entirely, tournament officials assessed Higgo a two-shot penalty, which is applied to the first hole of his round. The ruling stunned many fans because penalties for lateness are relatively uncommon at the highest level of professional golf, especially in major championships where players and caddies carefully plan every detail of their routines.

The unfortunate moment immediately put added pressure on Higgo as he attempted to settle into his opening round. Starting a major championship already two shots behind can completely change a player’s strategy, particularly on demanding courses where every stroke matters. Rather than easing into the round, Higgo was forced to chase from the very beginning.

Golf fans quickly reacted online, with many surprised that a timing mistake could have such a major impact before competitive play had even properly started. Others pointed out that professional golf operates under incredibly strict regulations and that punctuality is treated as seriously as any other rule violation.

Despite the setback, Higgo still had an opportunity to recover over the remainder of the tournament. The 25-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance throughout his career and has proven capable of producing low rounds under pressure. However, beginning a major championship with an immediate penalty is far from ideal and only adds to the mental challenge players already face on golf’s biggest stage.

The incident also served as a reminder of how unforgiving professional golf can be. One small mistake away from the course can instantly alter a player’s entire week, especially during a major championship where the margins between success and disappointment are razor thin.