Ryan Gerard Leads PGA Championship Amid Top Players' Struggles at Quail Hollow

The 2025 PGA Championship has started with an unexpected and somewhat underwhelming leaderboard, featuring lesser-known players and veterans rather than recent major winners. Ryan Gerard, a relatively unknown 25-year-old with no PGA Tour wins, leads early, while former World No. 1 Luke Donald impressed with a bogey-free 4-under round, his best in a major since 2004. Other surprise leaders include Ryan Fox, Alex Smalley, and Stephan Jaeger, while top-ranked players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy struggled to make a strong early impact. Scheffler's rollercoaster round left him tied for 14th at 2-under, illustrating the challenging course conditions and unpredictability of the tournament's start. Fans have expressed disappointment with the absence of consistent top-tier contenders near the top, although the tournament is still in its early stages and the leaderboard may change. Meanwhile, high school golf tournaments continue across the country, with competitive state championships underway and young golfers like Fred T. Foard's Lael Brewer leading in their respective events.