Story perspectives

Garrick Higgo Penalized Two Strokes, Misses PGA Cut

5/19/2026

Summary

Higgo Penalized

Garrick Higgo was penalized two strokes for arriving late to his 7:18 a.m. tee time at the PGA Championship on May 14, 2026.
The penalty turned his 3-under 67 into a 1-under 69.
He shot 76 in round two and missed the cut by one shot.
Officials said he was not in defined starting area at 7:19 a.m.
He hired former caddie Nick Cavendish-Pell to join him at the CJ Cup in Texas.

Summary

Gaugert Guides Higgo

Austin Gaugert, who caddied for PGA Tour players Patrick Rodgers and Ryan Moore, guided Higgo to 2025 Corales Puntacana win and a runner-up at the Sanderson Farms Championship.
Their partnership yielded a top-10 finish at the 2025 Procore Championship, FedEx Cup results, and saw Nick Cavendish-Pell return after working with French rookie Adrien Saddier.
Caddies view punctuality and tee-time logistics as core duties, with Gaugert remaining silent per the code.

History

Historical Context

The 2026 PGA Championship underscored golf’s long-standing emphasis on punctuality when officials enforced a late-tee sanction, prompting tours and players to prioritize strict tee-time adherence. The incident illustrates how modern golf continues to embed punctuality and fairness into its competitive framework and highlights the role of governing bodies in shaping tournament policies.

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Higgo Penalized

Garrick Higgo was penalized two strokes for arriving late to his 7:18 a.m. tee time at the PGA Championship on May 14, 2026.
The penalty turned his 3-under 67 into a 1-under 69.
He shot 76 in round two and missed the cut by one shot.
Officials said he was not in defined starting area at 7:19 a.m.
He hired former caddie Nick Cavendish-Pell to join him at the CJ Cup in Texas.

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