International Players Dominate PGA Championship Leaderboard After Opening Round

At the 2025 PGA Championship held at Quail Hollow Club, international players have dominated the leaderboard after the first round, with Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas leading at 7 under par following a strong finish. Australians and Europeans, including Cam Davis and Luke Donald, are also near the top, highlighting a trend where international golfers have won the majority of PGA Tour events in 2025, challenging the historical American dominance of the tournament. The tournament's opening round was challenging for top-ranked players such as World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele, who all struggled with course conditions, including problematic mudballs that affected their play, particularly on the difficult 16th hole. Local contenders like Ryan Gerard, a North Carolina native and recent PGA Tour card recipient, surprised fans with strong early performances, tying near the top alongside established players. Despite the difficulties faced by the leading stars, the competition remains wide open, with many international and American players poised to contend in the following rounds. The PGA Championship continues to showcase the global depth of golf talent while testing the adaptability and resilience of its participants.