Higgo Hit With Two-Stroke Penalty for Late Arrival at PGA Championship Tee Time

PGA Tour professional Garrick Higgo was assessed a two-stroke penalty on Thursday at the PGA Championship after arriving late for his scheduled tee time at Aronimink Golf Club. Higgo, who estimated he was approximately 30 seconds past his 7:18 a.m. tee time, began his championship bid with his first swing counting as his third stroke on the opening hole. Despite the early setback, the South African golfer displayed remarkable resilience, finishing his first round with a 1-under 69.

The incident highlights the strict adherence required to golf's rules, particularly concerning punctuality on the tee. While Higgo believed he was "on time," the regulations stipulate that a golfer must be on the tee box and ready to play at their assigned time. Had he been five minutes late, the penalty would have escalated to disqualification, a fate he narrowly avoided.

Key facts

The Penalty and Higgo's Reaction

Higgo’s first hole effectively became a par 4 that counted as a 6 on his scorecard. He acknowledged the rule, stating, "But the rule is if you’re one second late, you’re late." This marks the first time in his professional career he has been penalized for a late tee time. His caddie had reportedly been urging him to hurry to the tee, indicating that the tardiness was not entirely unforeseen. Higgo accepted the penalty, stating, "It wasn’t a surprise. I was late."

Maintaining Composure

Despite the frustrating start, Higgo managed to keep his focus. He reflected on the situation, saying, "I knew that I firstly had to get a driver, and I have to hit a tee shot. It was OK. I just kind of focused on what I need to do. … I wasn’t going to give up and shoot 80. There was only one thing that I could do, and that was make birdies and pars and hit it where I wanted to hit it." This mindset allowed him to recover quickly from the two-stroke disadvantage.

A Strong Recovery Round

Higgo's determination was evident throughout his round. He erased the two-stroke penalty on the front nine, sinking a 35-foot birdie putt on the par-4 third hole and a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-5 ninth. After a bogey on the 10th, he continued to make birdies on the two par-3 holes on the back nine, including a 27-foot putt on the 14th and a short putt on the 17th. He finished with four birdies and one bogey for the remainder of his round, resulting in a commendable 69.

Post-Round Discussions

After his round, Higgo attempted to discuss the penalty with officials but was unsuccessful in overturning the decision. He noted that even his playing partners supported his case, but the rules are clear. He attributed his lateness to a "casual approach" rather than a deliberate disregard for the rules, admitting he could have allocated more time for his walk from the practice areas to the first tee. "I was obviously too casual," he concluded.

Impact on the Tournament

For golf fans and followers of the PGA Championship, Higgo's incident serves as a stark reminder of the meticulous nature of professional golf. While a two-stroke penalty can be significant in a major championship, Higgo's ability to recover and post a sub-par round demonstrates his mental fortitude and skill. His performance keeps him in contention and adds an intriguing subplot to the early stages of the tournament.

Fuente: Yahoo Sports (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/garrick-higgo-penalized-2-strokes-185017321.html)