CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The 2025 PGA Championship teed off Thursday at Quail Hollow Club with early fireworks, dramatic collapses, and a leaderboard that promises intrigue heading into the weekend. Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas surged into the solo lead after a dazzling opening-round 7-under-par 64, placing himself at the top of the PGA Championship leaderboard, two shots clear of the field.
Vegas’s round featured nine birdies, including a brilliant stretch to close with birdies on holes 7, 8, and 9. It marked one of his finest performances in a major to date. His command of Quail Hollow’s infamous finishing stretch, the “Green Mile,” helped secure his position atop the PGA Championship leaderboard. Vegas played the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes in 1-under par, a feat that boosted his standing on the PGA Championship leaderboard.
“I felt comfortable out there,” Vegas said after the round. “I’ve been hitting it well coming into the week, and it all came together today. The Green Mile is a beast, so I’m happy to get through it clean.”
Just behind Vegas on the PGA Championship leaderboard are American Ryan Gerard and Australia’s Cam Davis, both carding solid 5-under 66s. Gerard looked composed in his major championship debut, while Davis found rhythm with six birdies. Both players sit well-positioned on the PGA Championship leaderboard heading into Friday.
Luke Donald, the European Ryder Cup captain, turned back the clock with a bogey-free 67. He joins a group at 4-under that includes Ryan Fox, Alex Smalley, and Kurt Kitayama. Each of them made early moves on the PGA Championship leaderboard, taking advantage of calm morning conditions.
But not all marquee names fared well in the opening round of the PGA Championship leaderboard race.
Rory McIlroy, a two-time PGA champion and pre-tournament favorite, struggled to a 3-over 74. He hit only four fairways and had trouble on the greens, dragging him down the PGA Championship leaderboard. A double bogey on the par-4 16th sealed a frustrating day.
“It was just one of those days,” McIlroy admitted. “Didn’t get anything going, and I’ve got work to do now.”
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler managed a 2-under 69 despite a double bogey on 16. His consistency helped him remain high on the PGA Championship leaderboard, and he remains one of the key players to watch.
The Green Mile played over par for the day, causing dramatic swings across the PGA Championship leaderboard. Many top players saw promising rounds unravel during this demanding stretch.
As the second round approaches, all eyes are on whether Vegas can stay atop the PGA Championship leaderboard. Meanwhile, Scheffler, Donald, and others look to make moves up the PGA Championship leaderboard. McIlroy, now outside the projected cut line, will need a strong round to climb the PGA Championship leaderboard and stay in the mix.
With tension rising and momentum shifting constantly on the PGA Championship leaderboard, the drama at Quail Hollow is far from over.
