South Africa’s Garrick Higgo was denied a share of the early clubhouse lead on the US PGA Championship after receiving a uncommon two-shot penalty at first of his first spherical – for arriving a minute late to the tee.
Higgo, 27, carded a double-bogey six on the opening gap consequently, however recovered with 4 birdies in a strong spherical of one-under 69 at Aronimink.
When Higgo completed his spherical at about 12:45 native time, he would have been tied on the prime of the leaderboard with fellow South African Aldrich Potgieter had he not been punished for his tardiness.
Event officers stated Higgo was “not inside the space outlined as the place to begin at his beginning time”.
“I all the time lower it advantageous and this morning was fairly chilly,” Higgo, who was nonetheless on the observe placing inexperienced, instructed Sky Sports activities.
“I by no means need to get to the tee 10 minutes earlier than and get chilly when I’ve to hit a driver.
“Often I hit 5 putts earlier than I am going to the tee and went there considering I had 5 minutes – however I clearly didn’t.
“I hit one putt I believed I heard my title, my caddie was yelling at me and I ran down.”
