The opening round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow delivered unexpected results, with lesser-known players rising to the top of the leaderboard while many of golf`s elite struggled. Jhonattan Vegas, who hasn`t made a major cut since tying for 57th at the 2021 U.S. Open, carded birdies on five of his final six holes to finish with a 7-under 64, securing a two-stroke lead. This performance marks Vegas as the first Venezuelan player to lead or co-lead a major championship after the first round. Expressing his excitement, Vegas described the feeling as “what we dream of.” Sharing second place at 5-under are Ryan Gerard and Cam Davis, while European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald is among a group tied at 4-under. The stage is set for a dramatic second round.
Thoughts on Top Contenders (Rory, Scottie, Xander) After Round 1
Mark Schlabach: Scottie Scheffler (69, 2-under) and Xander Schauffele (72, 1-over) were potentially hampered by mud balls, especially on the par-4 16th, which likely prevented them from scoring lower. Scheffler acknowledged the difficult conditions but felt he managed to post a decent score despite not playing his best. Rory McIlroy, a strong favorite given his multiple wins at Quail Hollow (Wells Fargo Championship), had significant trouble off the tee, hitting only four fairways, and also struggled with his putting. However, McIlroy has a history of overcoming poor starts in majors, including his comeback victory at the 2023 Masters after a challenging opening round.
Potential Surprise Contenders for the Weekend
Mark Schlabach: New Zealand`s Ryan Fox (4-under 67) is a strong candidate to remain in contention. He recently won his first PGA Tour event, the Oneflight Myrtle Beach Classic, which earned him entry into the PGA Championship. Despite minimal preparation, Fox played with newfound confidence following his victory. His background, as the son of a Rugby World Cup winner, also suggests mental resilience.
Paolo Uggetti: Stephan Jaeger (4-under), a German PGA Tour winner ranked in the top 50, is another player to watch. While his driving was inconsistent, Jaeger`s excellent tee-to-green statistics and impressive short game performance (gaining over two strokes on the field around the greens) position him well for sustained success. Jaeger noted that the wet, long course demands accurate drives to allow for easier approaches with mid-irons, a challenge his strong approach game is equipped to handle.
Who is the Favorite After Round 1?
Mark Schlabach: Scottie Scheffler remains the undeniable favorite. As the world No. 1 and a recent tournament winner, his overall game is superior. Even on a day where his iron play was only average and he lost strokes putting, Scheffler`s fundamental strength, combined with his two Masters titles, makes him the player to beat. Despite a poor break on the 16th, he is well within striking distance.
Paolo Uggetti: While agreeing that Scheffler is the likely favorite, Bryson DeChambeau also warrants consideration. Despite continuing struggles with his approach shots, DeChambeau managed an under-par round, showcasing the power of his driving. If he can make minor improvements in other areas, his length makes him a significant threat. Jon Rahm (1-under 70) is another big name who might be flying under the radar. Rahm has been consistent on the LIV tour but has not contended in recent majors since his 2023 Masters win. His solid opening round this week could signal a return to major championship form.
Major Names Facing the Cut
Mark Schlabach: Many well-known golfers face the risk of missing the 36-hole cut (top 70 and ties) and must perform better in the second round. This group includes several past major champions and prominent players. Among those at 2-over par are Sepp Straka, Rickie Fowler, Shane Lowry, Jason Day, Max Homa, and Justin Thomas. Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Min Woo Lee, and Gary Woodland are currently at 3-over. Justin Rose and Jordan Spieth are further back at 5-over. Several LIV Golf stars are also in danger: 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 in Round 1
Paolo Uggetti: In a notable turn of events, both Ryder Cup captains, Luke Donald (4-under) and Keegan Bradley (3-under), performed strongly in the first round. Donald, who plays a limited schedule and received a special invitation, expressed pleasant surprise at his bogey-free round, his best opening major score since 2004. Despite focusing on his captaincy, Donald has been actively working on his game. Bradley, a top-20 player with consistent results this season, wasn`t surprised by Donald`s form. The captains discussed the concept of a “playing captain,” with both agreeing that Bradley, given his current high level of play and ranking, is a far more realistic candidate for such a role than Donald.
Course Conditions and Future Setup
Paolo Uggetti: The most discussed aspect of the first round was the impact of mud balls. Heavy recent rain left Quail Hollow wet, causing mud to stick to balls even in the fairway, leading to unpredictable shots. The PGA of America`s decision not to allow preferred lies despite the conditions surprised many players. Scottie Scheffler voiced considerable frustration, noting the difficulty of controlling a shot after hitting a good drive with mud on the ball, referencing his own double bogey on the 16th, an experience also shared by Xander Schauffele. Schauffele predicted that the mud issue might even worsen as the course dries slightly, creating a “perfect cake zone,” and called the situation a “crapshoot.” Stephan Jaeger commented that the PGA Championship setup is typically fair and challenging, and anticipated the greens becoming firmer and faster due to warmer weather forecasts. Bryson DeChambeau acknowledged the need for players to adapt to the uncertainty. While frustrating for competitors, this element of chaos adds an intriguing layer of unpredictability for viewers.
