Jhonattan Vegas played the best golf hardly anyone saw Thursday in the PGA Championship.
Brilliant sunshine after three days of rain brought out a full house of spectators expecting a great show. They just didn’t get it from who they came to see — Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele — and most of them were long gone when Vegas worked his magic in the late afternoon.
Two good par saves. Two short birdies. Another par save. And then three birdies at the end for a 7-under 64, giving the 40-year-old Venezuela his best score in 45 rounds at the majors and a two-shot lead on an opening day of surprises.
“Incredible,” Vegas said when asked to summarize his round. “Any chance you get to shoot 64 at a major championship is always great.”
Equally incredible is that for the first time in at least 30 years, none of the top 10 players in the world ranking could be found in the top 10 of the leaderboard after 18 holes at a major.
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the sun was shining brightly over Quail Hollow Club casting a golden hue over the meticulously maintained fairways and greens it followed three days of relentless rain which had left the course damp and challenging adding an extra layer of difficulty for the players the air was thick with anticipation as fans eagerly awaited the start of the tournament their excitement palpable fans flocked to witness the first round of the 2025 PGA Championship a prestigious event that promised high drama and exceptional skill it promised to be a showcase of golfing prowess with the world’s best golfers ready to display their talents the world’s best were ready to battle for the coveted WMaker trophy a symbol of excellence in the sport yet as the day unfolded an unexpected narrative began to take shape one that would captivate everyone present it was a day for the underdog a day when the spotlight shifted from the usual stars to an unexpected hero the spotlight wasn’t on the usual suspects like Rory Mroy or Scotty Sheffller who were the favorites to win instead it focused on a name less familiar to casual fans a golfer who had often been overlooked janatin Vegas a 40-year-old Venezuelan stole the show with his remarkable performance he delivered a performance that echoed through the hallowed grounds of Quail Hollow leaving an indelible mark this was a display of precision power and an unyielding spirit qualities that define a true champion vegas a journeyman on the PGA Tour found himself at the top of the leaderboard a position he had rarely occupied it was an unfamiliar position for him especially in a tournament of this magnitude but he embraced it with grace his performance was a testament to the unpredictable nature of golf where anything can happen on any given day it was a reminder that on any given day anyone can rise to the occasion and achieve greatness the crowd watched in awe as Vegas navigated the course with newfound confidence each shot more impressive than the last he seemed unfazed by the pressure of the moment his focus unwavering his performance was a story of perseverance dedication and the unwavering belief in one’s abilities inspiring all who watched this was a day when David took on Goliath and emerged victorious a day that would be remembered for years to come jonaten Vegas started his day like any other golfer in the field with a mix of anticipation and focus he knew the challenges that lay ahead but he was ready to face them head on he was determined to give his best channeling all his energy and concentration into each shot little did he know that he was about to embark on the round of his life a round that would be remembered for its brilliance and precision from the first T-OT to the final putt Vegas showcased a masterclass in ball striking hitting each shot with remarkable accuracy and power he combined it with a calm demeanor rarely seen in such high pressure situations maintaining his composure throughout the round his round was a testament to his grit and determination qualities that have defined his career he faced early challenges but he navigated them with the composure of a seasoned veteran turning potential pitfalls into opportunities two brilliant par saves early in his round kept his scorecard clean showcasing his resilience and skill under pressure it set the tone for what would be an unforgettable day a day where everything seemed to fall into place vegas’s short game was equally impressive with deaf touches around the greens that left his competitors in awe he sank two crucial birdie putts from inside 10 ft each one boosting his confidence and momentum they provided him with the momentum he needed to attack the course with renewed vigor pushing him to take calculated risks his ability to capitalize on these scoring opportunities proved crucial as he continued to build on his early success it separated him from the rest of the pack as the round progressed establishing him as the player to beat the closing stretch of his round was nothing short of spectacular with Vegas demonstrating his ability to finish strong vegas carded three birdies in his final five holes a remarkable feat that showcased his skill and determination it was a display of controlled aggression with each shot carefully planned and executed he finished the day with a remarkable 7 under 64 a score that reflected his exceptional play this score etched his name at top the leaderboard a position he held alone at the end of the first round marking the beginning of what could be a historic tournament for Jonaten Vegas as Jonaten Vegas soared the game’s biggest name struggled to find their footing the tournament which had promised to be a showcase of the sports elite quickly turned into a tale of unexpected challenges and uncharacteristic mistakes rory Mroy the pre-ournament favorite seemed out of sorts from the start his body language told the story of a player who couldn’t quite connect with his game his usually reliable driver betrayed him time and again each swing seemed to carry the weight of mounting frustration as the ball veered off course mroy found himself in the unfamiliar territory of the rough far too often the lush unforgiving grass seemed to conspire against him turning every recovery shot into a herculean task “i just couldn’t find my rhythm out there,” a visibly frustrated Mroy admitted after his round “his words echoed the sentiments of many who watched his uncharacteristic performance i made some uncharacteristic mistakes and you just can’t do that at a major championship he continued reflecting on the critical errors that marred his round he carted a disappointing three over 74 his highest score at Quail Hollow since 2018 the score was a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of the sport scotty Sheffller the world number one also found the going tough despite his top ranking the course presented challenges that even he couldn’t overcome he battled mud on the ball throughout his round the persistent issue disrupted his usual precision making each shot a gamble it hampered his ability to control his distances the mud added an unpredictable element turning routine shots into potential hazards even Sheffller’s renowned short game couldn’t save him on this occasion his deaf touch around the green seemed to desert him when he needed it most “it was just one of those days,” Sheffller shrugged at the end of his round his demeanor suggested a player resigned to the whims of the game “i felt like I hit the ball pretty well but I just couldn’t get anything going,” he added summarizing a day where effort didn’t translate into results he finished the day with a two under 69 a score that left him well off the pace set by Vegas the gap highlighted the fine margins that separate triumph from struggle defending champion Xander Schoffé also failed to live up to expectations the weight of defending his title seemed to press down on him with every swing he struggled to find consistency throughout his round each hole presented a new challenge and his game lacked the fluidity that had brought him success in the past chauffel accarted a 1 over 72 leaving him with a mountain to climb over the remaining three rounds the defending champions journey had just become significantly more arduous while the established stars struggled a new generation of golfers seized the opportunity to make a name for themselves ryan Gerard a PGA Tour rookie announced his arrival on the big stage with a scintillating round of 66 he tied for second place gerard unfazed by the magnitude of the occasion displayed a maturity beyond his years his round was highlighted by a spectacular eagle on the 15th hole it showcased his immense talent and composure he sank a 60-foot putt sending the crowd into raptures cam Davis another young gun matched Gerard’s score of 66 he delivered a solid all-around performance davis navigated the course with a combination of power and finesse he narrowly missed a birdie putt on the final hole it would have given him the outright lead these impressive performances from the younger generation injected a sense of excitement into the tournament they proved that the future of golf is in good hands the leaderboard reflected the changing dynamics of the sport it promised an enthralling battle for supremacy over the coming days as we move into the heart of the competition the tension is palpable each athlete knows that the green mile is where fortunes can change in an instant it’s not just about speed it’s about strategy endurance and a little bit of luck the crowd holds its breath waiting to see who will rise to the occasion and who will falter this is the moment where champions are made and dreams can be dashed in the blink of an eye stay tuned because the green miles bite is about to show its teeth ajanna and Vegas a name synonymous with resilience and determination in the world of golf from humble beginnings in Venezuela to making a mark on the international stage Vegas’s journey is nothing short of inspiring his perspective on the game is deeply rooted in his experiences both on and off the course he brings a unique blend of passion and perseverance always pushing the boundaries and challenging himself to be better vegas’s story is a testament to what can be achieved through hard work and unwavering dedication for Venezuela Jonaten Vegas’s achievements are more than just personal milestones they are national triumphs his victories have brought pride and recognition to a country with a burgeoning interest in golf each tournament he wins every record he breaks is celebrated not just by his fans but by an entire nation this moment in history is a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes in Venezuela showing them that with determination and hard work anything is possible golf by its very nature is a sport of unpredictability no two games are ever the same and the challenges can change with every swing jonathan Vegas knows this all too well his career has been a roller coaster of highs and lows victories and near misses but it’s this very unpredictability that makes the game so thrilling and keeps players and fans alike coming back for more vegas’s ability to adapt and thrive amidst the uncertainties is what sets him apart and makes his journey so compelling as Jonaten Vegas looks to the future the road ahead is filled with possibilities with each tournament he continues to refine his skills and set new goals the journey is far from over and the best is yet to come for Vegas the focus is always on growth improvement and leaving a lasting legacy in the world of golf his story is an ongoing saga of ambition and achievement inspiring countless others to pursue their dreams with the same fervor and dedication
