Ryan Gerard, a UNC alum and North Carolina native, was the surprise leader at the PGA Championship on Thursday. It was a remarkable achievement considering he shot an absurd five-under-par 66 at Quail Hollow. This solid performance put him one stroke clear of the field, even after bogeying the last two holes of his round. Gerard, who was playing in only his third major, wowed with the biggest and best shots of the day and the coolest head under pressure.
Rory McIlroy, one of the favorites coming into Quail Hollow, had a rough go of it, carding a 74 to finish the day at three-over-par. Rory McIlroy on the 10th tee alongside fellow top-ranked players Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. For all his typical course control on the course, he never found his footing. His performance was a night-and-day difference from Gerard’s excellent opening round.
Gerard Shines in Home State
Each consecutive shot broken in Gerard’s final round played out like a rallying cry, crafting a picture of his talent, poise, and determination. So even with the late bogeys, he showed wonderful composure to keep the pedal down the rest of the day. As a local contender, he could not hide his elation at a career best performance in a venue where he has long made his mark.
“Obviously very pleased with the score, bogey-free in a major,” – Luke Donald
Luke Donald, who went on to shoot an impressive 67, was hot on Gerard’s tail, just one shot back. Donald’s steady play continued to hold him in contention as he looked for a stellar finish in the tournament.
McIlroy Faces Challenges
The way McIlroy struggled on Thursday came as a shock to most fans and experts alike. More recently, he’s made a name for himself at Quail Hollow, where he’s kited to past triumphs. This time, he was fighting an almost insurmountable opponent in the course. The almost palpable pressure of playing at the same time as the world’s big three might have played a role in his woes.
Scheffler and Schauffele each found a way to avoid hitting the course in the same sort of vulnerable state. Scheffler saved his round with birdies on his final two holes, signing for two-under-par 69 on the day. Schauffele ended on a high note, shooting an even-par 72. His goal would be to become the event’s first repeat champion since Brooks Koepka did it in 2019.
“I’m satisfied with my finish. It’s always nice coming off the course finishing with a birdie,” – Scottie Scheffler
Scheffler’s final-run closing power proved him quite the fighter even while facing adversity on the links.
Notable Performances
Some other big name players were in the news during the first round. Tied with Ryan Fox at four-under-par were a slew of other smart competitors who took full advantage of the challenging setup. With DeChambeau, Rose and Morikawa, the late tee times were stacked. Their arrival increased the excitement and energy as they prepared to challenge the course themselves later in the day.
The first round of the 2021 PGA Championship was electric. It showcased this year’s breakout stars, such as Gerard, and showcased the more seasoned talent who struggled to get their feet under them.
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