PGA Championship: Gerard Leads, McIlroy Trails After Opening Round

Ryan Gerard takes a one-shot lead at the PGA Championship after a five-under-par 66. Rory McIlroy struggles with a three-over-par 74.

Ryan Gerard stumbled late but still held the one-shot clubhouse lead at the PGA Championship on Thursday at Quail Hollow. Gerard, a North Carolina native competing in his third major, carded a five-under-par 66 despite bogeying his final two holes.

Gerard had been cruising along, sitting three shots clear, but his late-round bogeys narrowed his advantage. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy struggled on a course he's familiar with dominating. McIlroy recently showcased impressive skills at the Players Championship, scoring a record-tying 10 birdies in a single round.

Ryan Gerard looked in control, carding four consecutive birdies coming out of the turn. He further extended his lead with an eagle chip at the 15th hole. However, his round ended with bogeys on the last two holes, resulting in a five-under-par 66.

Gerard holds a one-shot lead over a group of four players, including Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and Ryan Fox. Keegan Bradley is one shot further back after a 68. Donald expressed satisfaction with his bogey-free round, calling it a "pleasant surprise.

Before the opening round, Ryder Cup captains had rarely excelled at the PGA Championship. Only five sitting Ryder Cup captains had carded a round in the 60s during a Ryder Cup year, with the last being Jim Furyk in 2018.

Rory McIlroy was under scrutiny ahead of the tournament, given his strong recent form and familiarity with Quail Hollow, where he won the PGA Tour event for a record fourth time last year.

Rory McIlroy struggled in his opening round, posting a three-over-par 74. Despite being part of a group featuring the world's top three players, McIlroy was errant off the tee and couldn't get his round going.

World number one Scottie Scheffler recovered late to card a two-under-par 69, salvaging his round with two birdies in his last three holes. Xander Schauffele shot a 72, while bidding to become the event's first repeat champion since Brooks Koepka in 2019.

Ryan Gerard with the EAGLE to move to 7-under 🦅

Gerard is currently on top of the leaderboard and is +2500 to win the PGA Championship.pic.twitter.com/suHpsKIDhz

— ESPN BET (@ESPNBET) May 15, 2025

Scottie Scheffler's round got off to a slow start, but he jump-started it with an eagle at the 15th hole. However, he gave it back with a double-bogey at the 16th after his approach shot landed in the water, marking his first double-bogey or worse in the first round of a major.

Scheffler salvaged his round with two birdies over his last three holes, finishing with a two-under-par 69. “I'm satisfied with my finish. It's always nice coming off the course finishing with a birdie,” Scheffler said.

Scottie Scheffler reflected on his round, saying, “I'm satisfied with my finish. It's always nice coming off the course finishing with a birdie.” He added, “Overall, I did a good job battling and keeping a level head out there during a day which there was definitely some challenging aspects to the course.”

Notable players like Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas teed off with the late starters. Spieth is attempting to complete his career Grand Slam, while Thomas won his first PGA Championship title at Quail Hollow in 2017. Other players with late tee times include Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Rose, and Collin Morikawa.