CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Club saw an unexpected leaderboard emerge on Thursday, with many of golf`s most recognized stars facing difficulties, while lesser-known names ascended.
Adding to the day`s surprises, Jhonattan Vegas, who hadn`t made a major cut since the 2021 U.S. Open (T57), surged by birdying five of his last six holes. This strong finish resulted in a 7-under 64, giving him a two-stroke lead. Vegas, playing alongside Elvis Smylie, became the first player from Venezuela to hold or share the lead after the opening round of a major championship.
“It feels amazing,” Vegas commented. “It`s what we dream of.”
Ryan Gerard and Cam Davis finished tied for second at 5 under, with European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald among a group of five players at 4 under.
Given the unpredictable start, what might happen in Friday`s second round? Here are key aspects to watch:
Performance of Top Contenders: Rory, Scottie, and Xander
Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele might have been higher on the leaderboard if not for unlucky mud balls on the par-4 16th. Neither player performed at their peak in the first round, but Scheffler still managed a 2-under 69. Schauffele finished 1 over.
Scheffler expressed frustration with the conditions, particularly how a mud ball contributed to his double-bogey 6 on the 16th. Schauffele and Rory McIlroy also struggled on that hole.
“Overall, I did a good job battling and keeping a level head out there during a day [in] which there [were] definitely some challenging aspects to the course,” Scheffler stated. “I did a good job posting a number on a day where I didn`t have my best stuff.”
McIlroy, a popular pick due to his success at Quail Hollow (four Wells Fargo titles), had an off-day, particularly struggling off the tee (hitting only four fairways) and losing strokes putting. While his game wasn`t sharp, it`s too soon to dismiss him. His history, such as winning the 2023 Masters after a poor start and subsequent recovery rounds, shows he can bounce back.
Potential Staying Power: Unlikely Names Near the Top
Which surprising player near the top of the leaderboard might remain in contention through the weekend?
One candidate is New Zealand`s Ryan Fox, who was among the last players to qualify after winning the Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic in a playoff last week. This was his first PGA Tour victory, adding to four DP World Tour wins.
Fox shot a 4-under 67 on Thursday with minimal preparation earlier in the week. He focused on trusting his game and confidence gained from his recent win. “It`s amazing what finding a bit of confidence can do,” Fox said. His mental fortitude may be influenced by his father, Grant Fox, a member of the 1987 Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks team.
Another interesting player is Stephan Jaeger. A PGA Tour winner ranked in the top 50, Jaeger wasn`t driving particularly well in the first round (losing strokes off the tee). However, his approach game was stellar, gaining 1.4 strokes on the field, a key factor for success on this course. His short game also rescued him, gaining over two strokes.
“This golf course is hard, it`s long and plays even longer this week because it`s wet,” Jaeger explained. “You have to be able to hit it in the fairways and decently long in the fairways so you can hold the greens with mid-irons rather than long irons.” Jaeger`s ability to score despite driving struggles suggests he could maintain his position.
Tournament Favorite After Round 1
Who is the likely favorite to win after the opening round?
Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1 and recent dominant winner (eight-stroke victory at CJ Cup Byron Nelson), is hard to overlook. While he didn`t have his best performance Thursday, his driving and chipping were strong, and his iron play was adequate. If his putting improves, he becomes exceptionally difficult to beat. Despite catching a bad break, he`s positioned to contend.
Aside from Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau is worth considering. Despite continued struggles with approach shots, he managed an under-par round, demonstrating his ability to score even without his best game. His significant driving distance remains a powerful weapon, making him a threat if other parts of his game slightly improve.
Jon Rahm is another notable name flying somewhat under the radar. While he hasn`t been in major contention recently, his 1-under 70 start this week is a solid foundation. Rahm has been consistently performing well on the LIV tour and seems poised for a strong major performance, especially after his 2023 Masters victory.
Major Names Facing the Cut
Several prominent players, including past major champions, must improve their performance on Friday to make the 36-hole cut (top 70 scores and ties).
Players at 2 over include Sepp Straka, Rickie Fowler, Shane Lowry, Jason Day, Max Homa, and Justin Thomas. Rory McIlroy is among those at 3 over, alongside Patrick Cantlay, Min Woo Lee, and Gary Woodland. Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth are further back at 5 over.
Several LIV Golf League stars also find themselves close to missing the cut, such as Joaquín Niemann (3 over), Brooks Koepka (4 over), Sergio Garcia (4 over), Cameron Smith (7 over), Dustin Johnson (7 over), and Phil Mickelson (8 over).
Ryder Cup Captains Shine
Fittingly, the PGA of America`s championship featured strong performances from both Ryder Cup captains in Round 1. Keegan Bradley finished at 3 under, while European captain Luke Donald posted a 4 under, placing both inside the top 10.
Donald, who isn`t playing a full schedule and received a special invitation as captain, was pleasantly surprised by his round, his lowest in a major since 2004. “I got off to a really nice, steady start. I hit a bunch of fairways on the front nine which always makes me feel good about my game,” he said, humorously referencing his recent missed cuts.
Bradley praised Donald`s effort: “I was pumped to see Luke up there. I know how hard he`s been working back home. Luke is an all-time great player. Doesn`t surprise me.” Bradley has had a solid season with multiple top-20 finishes.
Discussing the possibility of a “playing captain,” Donald believes Bradley, ranked in the top 20, has a real chance if he wins soon, but it`s unlikely for himself despite his performance.
Course Conditions and Future Setup
A major talking point after Round 1 was the prevalence of mud balls. Recent heavy rain left Quail Hollow unable to dry out fully, causing players to face unpredictable lies even from the fairway.
“It`s one of those deals where it`s frustrating to hit the ball in the middle of the fairway and get mud on it and have no idea where it`s going to go,” Scheffler commented. He acknowledged it`s part of the game but disliked losing control over the ball`s flight.
The PGA of America opted against preferred lies despite the wet conditions, a decision that surprised some players. Hitting a perfect drive didn`t guarantee a clean lie; the behavior of a mud ball is often described as a “roulette.”
Players expressed frustration about the conditions. Schauffele noted the locker room sentiment was likely unhappy. He felt preferred lies weren`t necessary given the excellent grass quality but highlighted that the course was playing at its maximum difficulty.
The impact of mud balls was evident, notably contributing to double bogeys for both Scheffler and Schauffele on the 16th hole.
Schauffele warned that mud balls might become worse as the course dries partially, entering a phase where mud is more likely to cling. He described it as a “crapshoot,” forcing players to potentially sacrifice distance by hitting lower tee shots.
While frustrating for players, this uncertainty could add an element of chaos, potentially making the tournament more compelling for viewers.
Jaeger noted that the PGA generally sets up courses that are fair but challenging. The SubAir system is being used, aiming to make greens firmer and faster as the week progresses. With a hot weather forecast, the course is expected to be significantly drier by Sunday.
DeChambeau suggested embracing the uncertainty. “You just have to manage your ball a little bit better,” he said, acknowledging the need to adjust shots based on how the mud might affect flight.