If you’ve paid attention to any PGA Championship content online on Thursday, you’ve come across the saga of Garrick Higgo, who arrived one minute late (or, in his words, 30 seconds) to his 7:18 a.m. tee time for the first round of the 2026 PGA Championship. Higgo was hit with a two-stroke penalty, which was fortunate considering missing your tee time by more than five minutes can lead to a DQ, and he managed to still shoot a one-under 69. Admirable.
What was not admirable is how Higgo handled the situation after the fact. He told ESPN’s Marty Smith he was “on time, but late,” then told SiriusXM that he didn’t think it was his job to be 10 minutes early. In his post-round presser with the media on site at Aronimink, Higgo said he believed he arrived to the tee box at “7:18 and 30 seconds.” He was then asked if 7:18 was the exact tee time, to which he replied “Yeah, or something like that, 7:19, whatever it was. I don’t know.”
Higgo, who is 27, is not helping Gen Z beat the “this generation takes zero accountability for their actions” allegations.
As many were quick to point out on social media, this is a highly relatable situation. Who among us hasn’t run late for a tee time? Perhaps the breakfast burrito did a number on your stomach. The unnecessary 1:30 a.m. nightcap beer made it extra difficult to wake up for the 7:15 a.m. alarm for the 8 a.m. tee time with the boys. We get it, s— happens, sometimes literally.
The difference here, of course, is that Higgo was playing in a major championship. This is his job. Showing up on time is not much to ask. Many people would kill for the opportunity he had Thursday morning. Not to sound like an old man yelling at a cloud, but it’s a sign of disrespect to the PGA of America, to his playing partners, to his caddie, and, yes, even to fans watching on site and at home.
Forgetting all that, though, it is still a comedic situation, as we all know a Garrick Higgo who we play golf with. They’re always running late. They’re always “leaving now” while still rubbing their eyes in bed. They’re always scrambling to get their golf shoes on while you’re all standing on the first tee. And no, it is never, EVER their fault.
Generally speaking, this friend eventually grows up, but that’s not the case in every friend group. Some people are just eternally late, and they live to make it everyone else’s problem. How do you deal with such disrespect? Especially if you are the person who wrangles the group together and makes the tee time? Is there anything more anxiety-inducing than this person telling you they are in the parking lot while you know they still have to pay, sign the waiver to ride a cart, get scolded by the starter, etc. ?
The way to deal with said person is cruel, but simple. Three strikes, and they’re out. First time, OK, we get it, life happens. Second time? Tell them they better not do it again. Third time? That’s it, they’re done. You don’t invite them to golf, you find a reliable replacement, and you flaunt said reliable replacement in the late-arrival guy’s face as much as possible. When late-arrival guy says he made a tee time and invites you, say thanks, but no thanks. You can trust them to show up on time and don’t feel like dealing with that nervous energy.
At that point, this person should finally get the picture, at which point they will come groveling. Apologetic. Sorry for their sins. It only took about eight messages for it to finally sink in. Once it seems like it has, give late-arrival guy one “prove it” round. If they are not ready—with their bag on the cart or their push cart near the practice green or first tee—a full 15 minutes before the scheduled tee time, you must officially break up with them. It’s time to see other golfers for good.
As for Higgo, my inkling is that he’ll never make this mistake again. A two-stroke penalty on the first tee of a major is the equivalent of your golf group breaking up with you. Harsh, but fair.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
