It seems like everyone at the PGA Championships is getting teed off.
A day after Garrick Higgo was penalized two strokes for showing up late to his tee time, officials at Aronimink Golf Club were trying to keep everyone else on time for the second round.
Justin Thomas and Keegan Bradley were seen on the ESPN broadcast getting into it with a PGA official on a cart on Friday as they were reportedly being told they were put on the clock at the fourth hole, with the players animatedly pointing at the group ahead of them apparently still on the green.
Pace of play was certainly an issue in the opening round, with Thursday afternoon’s groups approaching 5 1/2 hours to get through 18 holes, per Golf.com’s Sean Zak.
One issue stems from the first and 10th holes sharing a tee box, while the ninth and 17th holes crossing paths.
The eighth hole — a lengthy par-3 — has also caused backups due to is unique challenges and proximity to the ninth hole.
The PGA Tour revised its Pace of Play policy in 2025, with a one-stroke penalty for a first “bad time” offense.
“A group, or individual players within the group, will receive an official warning when the Rules Committee determines the group is starting to fall behind or is out of position. Such warning will be given as soon as possible and given only once during a round,” the Tour’s rules state.
Higgo, who estimated he was 30 seconds late to his 7:18 a.m. tee time on Thursday, started the day with a two-stroke penalty as punishment and finished at a 1-under 69 on the day.
“I was there on time, but the rule is if you’re one second late, you’re late,” Higgo said, adding “I was just happy they allowed me to tee off.”
