South Africa’s Garrick Higgo was denied a share of the overnight lead at the US PGA Championship after receiving a rare two-shot penalty at the start of his first round – for arriving a minute late to the tee.
Higgo, 27, carded a double-bogey six on the opening hole as a result, but recovered with four birdies in a solid round of one-under 69 at Aronimink.
Had Higgo not been punished for his tardiness, he would have finished Thursday’s play in a tie for the lead with seven other players, including world number one Scottie Scheffler.
Tournament officials said Higgo was “not within the area defined as the starting point at his starting time”.
“I always cut it fine and this morning was pretty cold,” Higgo, who was still on the practice putting green, told Sky Sports.
“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.
“I hit one putt, I thought I heard my name, my caddie was yelling at me and I ran down.”
