Before he even teed off at Aronimink Golf Club on Thursday, Garrick Higgo was 2-over in his first round at the 2026 PGA Championship.
The 27-year-old South African golfer was issued a two-stroke penalty due to his late arrival for his 7:18 a.m. ET tee time in Round 1.
Higgo was practicing on the putting green, but not within the “area defined as the starting point,” according to a release from the PGA of America. The starting point for holes No. 1 and No. 10 are defined be “the rope, gallery stakes, green bike fencing and/or blue stakes, blue dots or blue lines.”
Higgo, a two-time PGA Tour winner, was allowed to play his first round because he arrived at the starting area no more than five minutes late. A player who arrives more than five minutes late is subject to disqualification.
He played alongside Shaun Micheel and Michael Brennan in his opening round at the major championship.
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Higgo recorded a par on his opening hole at Aronimink Golf Club, but carded a double bogey with his two-stroke penalty. He’s 1-over through 10 holes after recording birdies on No. 3 and No. 9, and a bogey on No. 10.
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German golfer Stephan Jager holds an early lead at the PGA Championship, going 4-under through his first 10 holes. Bud Cauley and Xander Schauffele sit one shot behind at 3-under.
Reigning champion Scottie Scheffler will tee off at 2:05 p.m. ET.
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