The morning sun is shining bright over Charlotte, casting a welcoming glow on Quail Hollow as Round 1 of the 2025 PGA Championship unfolds. After being pummeled with rain earlier in the week, the course has emerged soft and forgiving, setting the stage for some early low scores. And boy, it didn’t take long for the participants to take advantage.
The early leaderboard is already lighting up. New Zealand’s Ryan Fox jumped out ahead, sitting at 3-under-par through five holes, while Sweden’s Alex Noren trails close at 2-under through four. Meanwhile, Ryder Cup captains Luke Donald and Keegan Bradley decided they weren’t just here to shake hands and sign autographs. The duo, playing as part of an early group, both sit comfortably at 3-under as well. Who says leaders can’t lead by example?
Other players joining the morning fun include defending champ Jon Rahm, who’s sliding into position at 1-under after just two holes. And, in a bit of underdog magic, England’s John Parry gave the early crowd something to buzz about, pulling off an eagle-birdie combo out of the gate. Word is, his social media highlight reel is already stacking up the views.
The Big Trio Rolls Out
All eyes turned to the star-studded trio of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Xander Schauffele as they teed off from Quail Hollow’s demanding 10th hole. Spoiler alert: they did not disappoint. Rory nailed a solid birdie from ten feet, with Xander flashing his confidence and sinking one from five feet. Scheffler, not to be outdone (but kind of outdone), came this close but settled for a par.
With a start like that, the PGA’s heavy hitters have arrived, and it’s clear Quail Hollow’s scoring-friendly par 5s are already playing a crucial role in the leaderboard shake-ups.
Warmups and Range Vibes
Over at the driving range, the buzz was palpable as players fine-tuned their swings under picture-perfect morning skies. The air was filled with the familiar symphony of clubs pinging, caddies strategizing, and players dialing in their game plans. Fans milling around quickly noticed Bryson DeChambeau hammering drives like he’s trying to moonshot one. Meanwhile, Scheffler’s warmup was described as almost too smooth. Veteran observers even noted that the moisture-softened fairways are producing longer carry and rollout, which might help guys shoot even lower.
The vibe? Intense but focused. Everyone’s serious about chasing low numbers today.
Quail Hollow’s Morning Charm
Quail Hollow remains the star of the show as always. Early-morning light dances across the ponds lining the back nine while soft breezes keep the air comfortable. Sure, there are still damp patches around, but those greens have dried up enough to play fast, which spells birdie opportunities galore.
The crowd is still waking up, literally. A handful of die-hard fans are scattered along fairways, sipping their coffee and chatting strategy, while volunteers work on wringing out the soaked tee boxes. It’s calm now, but there’s no mistaking the mounting excitement as the bigger names move in and the sun climbs higher. There’s a spark of electricity in the air, and it’s only going to grow.
What We’ve Learned So Far
Round 1 has delivered some early action worth savoring. Ryan Fox has taken the surprise early lead at 3-under, with Donald, Bradley, and Noren hot on his heels. Meanwhile, McIlroy and Schauffele are proving that world-class talent makes their presence known within minutes of hitting the course.
The morning is off to a cracking start at Quail Hollow, and with ideal scoring conditions, there’s only one question left to ask. Who’s going to keep this momentum rolling as the day progresses? Keep your eyes on the leaderboard; something tells us this is going to get even more exciting.
