SA's Garrick Higgo splits with caddie after tee-time penalty at PGA Championship

Higgo was handed a two-shot penalty during the opening round at Aronimink Golf Club after arriving late for his scheduled tee time. Tournament officials ruled that the 27-year-old was "not within the area defined as the starting point at his starting time", resulting in the sanction.

The penalty proved significant in Higgo's tournament campaign. After carding an opening-round score that would otherwise have left him tied for the lead on 67, the South African ultimately missed the cut by a single shot.

Speaking after his opening round, Higgo accepted responsibility for the incident and acknowledged that the ruling came as no surprise.

"It wasn't a surprise. I was late. I mean, my caddie was yelling at me to get to the tee," Higgo said.

Broadcast footage from the event showed Gaugert urging Higgo to leave the practice green and make his way to the first tee before his starting time.

Higgo later discussed the matter with tournament officials in the clubhouse, but the decision was upheld and the penalty remained in place.

According to Higgo's agent, the South African has since reunited with former caddie Nick Cavendish-Pell, with whom he secured his maiden PGA Tour victory at the Palmetto Championship in 2021.

Cavendish-Pell is expected to return to Higgo's bag at this week's CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas.