PGA has strong field and big surprise: Jhonattan Vegas leads at 64 as stars fail to shine
The first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow brought some unexpected surprises as Jhonattan Vegas took the lead with an impressive 7-under 64. The top 10 players in the world failed to make an impact, with Vegas overshadowing them with his stellar performance.
Vegas, a Venezuelan player who had struggled in majors in the past, came out strong with five birdies in his last six holes. This was his best score in 45 rounds at a major tournament, showcasing his talent and determination.
Following closely behind Vegas was Ryan Gerard, a PGA Tour rookie, and Cam Davis of Australia, both finishing with a score of 66. The top players in the world, including Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Xander Schauffele, faced challenges on the course, with mud balls causing issues on some holes.
Notably, the top 10 scores after the first round did not include any players from the top 10 in the world ranking. Instead, players like Alex Smalley, Ryan Fox, Luke Donald, and Keegan Bradley emerged as contenders, showcasing their skills on the challenging course.
Despite the absence of major champions at the top of the leaderboard, the competition was fierce with players like Gerard, Davis, Stephan Jaeger, and Aaron Rai all vying for the lead. Scheffler, with a score of 69, had the best performance among the top-ranked players.
McIlroy, a former winner at Quail Hollow, struggled with his game, posting a 3-over 74. Schauffele also faced difficulties, finishing with a 72. Jordan Spieth, aiming for the career Grand Slam, had a tough round with three consecutive bogeys and a score of 76.
Overall, the first round of the PGA Championship showcased the unpredictability of golf, with lesser-known players making their mark on the leaderboard. The competition promises to be exciting as the tournament progresses, and fans can expect more surprises and thrilling moments on the course.
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