The second major tournament of the year got up and running on Thursday and while many of the bigger stars failed to impress, it was one of the lesser-known ones who grabbed the headlines
19:00, 16 May 2025Updated 19:00, 16 May 2025
American golfer Ryan Gerard stunned in the opening round of the PGA Championship
Ryan Gerard left the PGA Championship stunned after producing a shock opening round at Quail Hollow on Thursday – almost two decades after watching Tiger Woods produce his own moment of magic on the same course.
Gerard’s five-under par 66 was the best round of the players in the morning wave, which included Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, leaving him as one of the early contenders to win the tournament and claim the first major title of his career. McIlroy could only manage a three-over 74, while Scheffler, despite completing his round at two-over-par, and world No. 3 Xander Schauffele encountered their own troubles.
Elsewhere, Bryson DeChambeau was left voicing his frustrations by letting out a foul-mouthed outburst after his final hole, and Hunter Mahan got his tournament underway by comparing the location to a “soulless Kardashian.” For Gerard, however, Thursday’s first round was one of the highlights of his career.
READ MORE: PGA Tour winner shows true colors with payment to fill-in caddieREAD MORE: Jon Rahm cheating incident forced LIV Golf star to take action with trick for PGA Champs
A relative unknown, the 25-year-old only earned his PGA Tour card this year and has just two professional wins to his name, with neither coming on the PGA Tour. He can also boast two major championship starts, although he missed the cut at the 2022 U.S. Open and finished T-56 at the same tournament a year later.
This time around, however, things feel different, but perhaps it’s no surprise he has started so well given his previous affiliation with Quail Hollow Club. Having played golf at the collegiate level for the University of North Carolina, located just a few hours away, Gerard often made the journey down to Charlotte for a round on the course.
Long before then, in 2007, he visited Quail Hollow Club for the 2007 Truist Championship as an elementary schooler, watching Woods earn his 57th of 82 PGA Tour titles. It would prove to shape the rest of his life.
Gerard’s earliest golfing memory is of watching Tiger Woods at the 2007 PGA Championship
Gerard recalled that tournament when asked for his earliest memories of falling in love with the game of golf following yesterday’s first round, as well as what playing at this year’s event means to him.
“In terms of this golf tournament in 2007, first time I ever stepped foot on a PGA Tour event as a fan was three or four name changes ago,” he began.
“But I just remember going out Saturday, I believe. Watched Tiger and Vijay Singh battle down the stretch. For me, as a young kid that really was just starting to get into competitive golf and really loving the game, it was surreal, almost, to see those two guys kind of doing it.
“This place is awesome. We came out here a decent amount in school, and they were nice enough to have me play here in 2023 in the Wells Fargo when I was a special temporary member. So I have a lot of respect for the people here and they have done great things for me in my career.”
Gerard’s five-under par 66 was the best round of the players in Thursday’s morning wave
While his first-round showing may have come as a shock to everybody else, Gerard wasn’t surprised that he delivered where he feels most at home.
“I feel very comfortable here,” he said. “There’s a lot of people here that I know and I’ve been fortunate enough to play this golf course a few times. And all of that is fantastic, and it’s definitely helped in the preparation.
“I love being here. It’s a fantastic place. North Carolina, in general, they show out for their guys in light blue. I heard so many “Go Heels” today and just appreciate everyone that’s supporting.”
