Rory McIlroy’s much-anticipated return to Quail Hollow as the reigning Masters champion was met with unexpected struggles, particularly with his driver, as he carded a disappointing 74 in the opening round of the US PGA Championship. This marked a significant departure from expectations, given McIlroy’s previous successes at this course, which many had regarded as his playground.
McIlroy’s day started well enough with a confident birdie on the 10th hole, briefly placing him among the leaders. However, his performance quickly unraveled as he hit just four of 14 fairways, a major issue on a course where accuracy off the tee is paramount. The Northern Irishman’s inability to find the fairway left him playing from difficult lies, forcing recovery shots that limited scoring opportunities. His putting also let him down, with 31 putts over the round, including a three-putt from distance at the 11th hole. McIlroy’s troubles compounded with a double bogey on the 16th his first double bogey at Quail Hollow since 2010 and bogeys on both the 17th and 18th holes, sealing a three-over-par second half and a round total of 74.
Despite the rough day, McIlroy showed no signs of frustration on the course. After the round, however, he immediately headed to the practice range, signaling his intention to work on his driver. It was clear that the Masters champion needs to regain his form with his driver if he is to contend seriously over the coming days. The quality of the field and the course conditions mean that such issues can be costly.
While McIlroy struggled, debutant Ryan Gerard, ranked 81st in the world, made a sensational start. The American surged to the top of the leaderboard with a 66, thanks to his familiarity with the course having attended college in the state and played Quail Hollow several times before. Gerard’s round was highlighted by an eagle on the 15th hole, and although he stumbled slightly with bogeys on the final two holes, his overall score was enough to share the lead with Cam Davis. Jhonattan Vegas further raised the bar with a late charge, finishing with three consecutive birdies to post a 65, topping the leaderboard by the evening. Meanwhile, Matt Fitzpatrick, who has struggled with form in recent months, carded a steady 68, surprising many given his recent difficulties.
One of the day’s biggest stories came from Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald. The Englishman defied expectations with a bogey-free 67, reminding fans of his earlier days as a top-ranked player. Donald, who is no longer competing in majors regularly, played with a calm precision, making four birdies and 14 pars, demonstrating that skill and experience still count on a challenging course like Quail Hollow. Donald humbly acknowledged that his place in the field is due to his Ryder Cup captaincy but seemed to relish the opportunity to compete and show that he can still perform at a high level.
Matt Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, spoke candidly about his struggles. Once a major champion, Fitzpatrick described his current form as the worst he’s experienced, admitting that he has felt a lack of motivation and confidence on the course. His 68 was a glimmer of hope but also a reminder of how hard it is to sustain success in professional golf.
Other notable performances included Robert MacIntyre’s solid 68 and Ryan Fox, fresh off a PGA Tour win, who matched Donald’s 67. In contrast, Phil Mickelson endured a rough day, shooting 79, which included a painful eight on the 7th hole. Brooks Koepka, a former US PGA regular, struggled as well, posting a four-over round. With his move to LIV Golf, questions remain about whether the change in tour has improved his game.
As the first round concluded, it was clear that the US PGA Championship is shaping up to be a highly unpredictable contest. The mix of veteran experience and emerging talent, combined with the demanding Quail Hollow layout, suggests that only the most resilient and adaptable players will rise to the top. Rory McIlroy, for all his talent and past success, faces an early test to find his rhythm and challenge for another major title. Meanwhile, newcomers like Ryan Gerard are seizing the moment, reminding the golfing world that the next star is always waiting in the wings.
