Golf star reveals devastation after suffering blow before PGA Championship even started

Garrick Higgo admitted he was "bummed" after being hit with a highly unusual two-shot penalty before he had even struck a ball at the PGA Championship.

The South African, currently ranked 85th in the world, was penalised after arriving at the first tee just moments after his scheduled starting time at Aronimink Golf Club.

Tournament officials ruled that Higgo was not within the designated starting area when his tee time arrived, despite the 27-year-old being on the nearby practice putting green.

Under the Rules of Golf, players must be inside a clearly defined zone at their allotted start time. That area can include ropes, fencing, stakes or marked lines surrounding the tee.

Because Higgo was only marginally late, he avoided disqualification but was automatically assessed a two-stroke penalty.

The former PGA Tour winner responded impressively, carding a one-under-par 69 to remain firmly in contention after the opening round.

That score left him just two shots behind a crowded leaderboard headed by Scottie Scheffler and six others.

Speaking afterwards, Higgo admitted he was frustrated by the setback.

"I was bummed when I was told I had a two-shot penalty," he said.

"This is the first time it happened, so I wasn't sure what was going on. I was just happy that they allowed me to tee off."

Higgo acknowledged that he knew he was cutting it fine as he made his way to the tee.

"My caddie was yelling at me to get to the tee," he explained. "It wasn't a surprise. I was late."

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"The rule is if you're one second late, you're late."Rather than allowing the punishment to derail his round, Higgo used it as motivation.

"I just said to myself that it was going to be a great opportunity to shoot a low score," he said.

"I wasn't going to give up and shoot 80."

The South African also revealed that his relaxed nature may have contributed to the incident.

"If you know me, I am very casual and laid-back," he said.

"I thought I had time, but I was obviously too casual."

Higgo later told ESPN that the cool morning conditions had influenced his decision to stay on the practice range for as long as possible.

"It was cold this morning and I wanted to be as warm as possible," he said.

"I think it shows a lot of mental strength the way I kept fighting."

Higgo is playing in the PGA Championship for the fourth time and is aiming to make the cut for the second successive year.