🏌️ 2025 PGA Championship Round 1 Recap: Vegas Leads, Stars Struggle
The opening round of the 107th PGA Championship delivered unexpected drama, with Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas seizing the early lead while several marquee names faltered under the soggy conditions at Quail Hollow.
🎯 Vegas Sets the Pace
Vegas fired a stunning 7-under-par 64, highlighted by five birdies over the final six holes. It was a clinical display from tee to green, leaving him two strokes clear of the chasing pack and staking an early claim for the Wanamaker Trophy.
🏌️♂️ Notable Performances
- Cam Davis surged into contention with a 5-under 66, despite a bogey on the final hole.
- Ryan Gerard, playing in front of a home crowd, matched Davis with a 66 on his PGA Championship debut.
- Luke Donald rolled back the years with a flawless 67 — his best opening round in a major since 2004.
- Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, posted a solid 69 despite some frustrating moments on the course.
🌧️ Mud Ball Mayhem: Scottie Scheffler’s Frustration
One of the day’s most talked-about moments came on the 16th fairway, where Scottie Scheffler’s drive landed in a patch of soggy turf. With the PGA of America opting not to allow preferred lies despite the wet conditions, Scheffler was forced to play a mud-caked ball.
His second shot veered into the water hazard — a direct result, he claimed, of the mud — and he went on to card a double bogey. The visibly frustrated Scheffler later called the situation “ridiculous” and questioned why lift, clean, and place wasn’t in effect.
“It’s frustrating to have no control over a shot in a major championship,” he said.
His frustration was echoed by several other players, sparking widespread debate over course setup decisions in soggy conditions.
📉 Stars Struggle on Opening Day
- Rory McIlroy carded a disappointing 3-over 74, hitting just three fairways.
- Jordan Spieth’s Grand Slam hopes took a hit after a 5-over 76.
- Jason Day, the 2015 PGA Champion, opened with a 2-over-par 73, struggling to gain momentum on a challenging day at Quail Hollow.
- Xander Schauffele, the defending champ, signed for a 1-over 72.
- Brooks Koepka matched his worst-ever PGA round with a 4-over 75.
☠️ The Green Mile Lives Up to the Hype
The final three holes — known as the “Green Mile” — proved brutal yet again. The 16th hole alone produced double bogeys from top names like McIlroy, Scheffler, and Schauffele. Navigating this stretch cleanly may ultimately determine who lifts the trophy on Sunday.
As the second round tees off, all eyes will be on whether Vegas can maintain his lead, and whether stars like Scheffler and McIlroy can rebound from a turbulent start. Stay tuned to Golf Daily Roundup for continuing coverage.
