Overview
- Higgo missed the cut by one stroke after a two-shot penalty on Thursday and a 6-over 76 on Friday.
- The PGA of America said he was not within the defined starting area at his 7:18 a.m. tee time, which by rule triggers an automatic two-stroke penalty.
- Without the penalty, his opening round would have tied the lead after he shot 3-under on the course for a 1-under official score.
- A timing dispute lingers, with the broadcast citing 7:19 a.m. and Higgo saying 7:18 and 30 seconds, but the ruling was not changed.
- ESPN highlighted the episode with a pre-round countdown graphic on Friday, drawing wide social attention to both the enforcement and the broadcast’s tone.