Jhonattan Vegas Surges to Shock Lead as PGA Championship Opens with Star-Studded Struggles

Jhonattan Vegas delivered an unexpected and stellar performance in the first round of the PGA Championship, shooting a 7-under 64—his best score in 45 rounds at a major. While most fans had their eyes on big names like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Xander Schauffele, it was Vegas, largely unnoticed in the late afternoon, who delivered the round of the day. His round was highlighted by key par saves, short birdies, and a closing stretch of three straight birdies that secured him a two-shot lead.

Big Names Falter As Vegas Steals Spotlight In Historic Major Championship Debut

Despite large crowds, the tournament’s top stars failed to impress. Rory McIlroy, fresh off completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters, struggled with consistency and finished with a 3-over 74. Scheffler and Schauffele both contended with difficult playing conditions, including muddy tee shots, and posted 69 and 72 respectively. Scheffler managed to stay under par through resilience and short-game brilliance, but none of the world’s top 10 ranked players cracked the top 10 of the leaderboard—a first in over 30 years.

Vegas’s remarkable finish featured an 18-foot birdie on the eighth hole and a difficult birdie on the ninth, where he dealt with a tricky lie near a bunker. The Venezuelan, who hadn’t qualified for the event in the past three years, made history as the first player from his country to lead any round of a major. His clean, calculated performance stood in stark contrast to the error-filled rounds of more prominent players, securing his place at the top of the leaderboard.

Emerging stars shine as veterans stumble on a challenging day at Quail Hollow

Ryan Gerard, a rookie playing before a home crowd, also impressed with a 66, despite bogeying his last two holes. He was joined by Cam Davis, Alex Smalley, and Ryan Fox—lesser-known names who made big statements. Smalley, a last-minute addition to the field, made a 70-foot eagle putt en route to a 67, while Fox matched that score following his recent win at Myrtle Beach. Their performances highlighted the depth of emerging talent in the game.

The leaderboard was a mix of fresh faces and seasoned players. Luke Donald, Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, posted a bogey-free 67, impressing on a course not suited to his typical strengths. U.S. captain Keegan Bradley was also in contention, one shot back. Meanwhile, Stephan Jaeger and Aaron Rai, who earned their first PGA Tour victories last year, continued their good form with 67s, joining the crowded group just behind Vegas.

Quail Hollow’s infamous “Green Mile” closing stretch lived up to its reputation, with the field collectively scoring 171-over par on holes 16-18. The 16th hole alone accounted for 64 of those shots and saw more water balls than birdies. Former champions like Jordan Spieth and Bryson DeChambeau underwhelmed, with Spieth carding a 76 and DeChambeau finishing even par. With the leaderboard dominated by unexpected names, the championship remains wide open heading into day two.