PGA Championship Opens with Struggles for Top Golfers

The leaderboard for the 2025 PGA Championship is raising eyebrows, particularly due to the challenges faced by the world’s top three ranked golfers on a single hole during the tournament’s opening round at Quail Hollow Club.

Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele, who hold the top three spots in the official world golf rankings, all stumbled on the 16th hole, resulting in double bogeys. This PAR-4 hole measures 535 yards, and their difficulties were evident as they played together at the start of the event.

McIlroy’s tee shot veered left, landing in an area known for its water hazards. Caught in rough terrain, he struggled to advance the ball more than 20 yards down the fairway.

Following that, McIlroy’s approach missed the green completely. He had a 12-foot putt but ended up making a double bogey instead.

Schauffele and Scheffler also faced challenges on the same hole, both having difficulty keeping control. Their shots went too far, leading them into trouble as the surrounding water came into play.

Scheffler, despite these setbacks, ended the round tied for 19th place at 2 under par. Schauffele finished at 1 over after 18 holes, while McIlroy struggled to finish at 3 over, with a score of 74.

After the round, Schauffele expressed his frustration regarding the muddy conditions that affected his game, describing how it impacts a player’s control over their shots.

It wasn’t just the top three who were having a tough time; other notable golfers like Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa, Jordan Spieth, and Brooks Koepka also struggled, with scores higher than anticipated. Phil Mickelson notably carded an 8-over score of 79.

In contrast, Ryan Gerard emerged as a standout competitor, leading the day with an impressive score of 66. Australia’s Cam Davis matched that, nearly finishing at 6 under if not for a bogey on the final hole.