First-round action at Quail Hollow turned the tournament upside down. Pre-tournament favorites like McIlroy, Spieth, and Schauffele struggled early. In their place, lesser-known names emerged—some with no major pedigree. This opened up the leaderboard and betting markets, fueling fresh excitement. The shifts showed how quickly majors can reshape storylines and put new faces on the map.
Unexpected threats dominated Thursday’s leaderboard. Jhonattan?Vegas led with a bogey-free 64—his best in a major—while Cam Davis and PGA debutant Ryan?Gerard tied for second at 66. Luke Donald, world No.?871 and Ryder Cup captain, posted a flawless 67. Alex Smalley and other alternates also grabbed attention. It was a leaderboard filled with outsiders and underdogs, not household names.
Jhonattan?Vegas Takes the Lead With a Major-Best Round
Vegas stunned everyone with a 7-under 64 in the first round. He’d never made the top?20 in a major, yet he led wire-to-wire that Thursday. That kind of performance from a Venezuelan pro, who’d struggled in previous majors, was historic. The Open Championship odds quickly shifted and new narratives formed around a player no one had circled before the event began. This sudden change had bettors and fans a fresh choice for their wagers.
The birdie barrage (five in six holes to finish strong) proved he could handle major pressure. That 64 was the best of his career in a major and put him in2 control early. Vegas rose from a mid-pack name to the face of the leaderboard. It reminded everyone that no matter the resume, anyone can lead at a major if they find their rhythm and stay locked in mentally.
Cam?Davis and Ryan?Gerard Reveal Unexpected Form
Two shots back at 5-under were Cam Davis and Ryan Gerard. Davis admitted post-round that he didn’t expect a low score but looked completely in control. With a smooth putting stroke and confident approach play, he matched experienced veterans shot for shot. For a player without a strong major record, Davis made a powerful early statement and inserted himself into one of the biggest weekends of the year.
Gerard brought even more surprise. A local rookie playing in his first PGA Championship, he didn’t seem fazed by the stage. His round of 66 was steady, with few mistakes and timely birdies. He had the crowd behind him and rode that momentum to a high finish on the day. That kind of debut doesn’t happen often, and it gave fans a homegrown storyline to rally around.
Luke?Donald Defies Age and Ranking
At 47 years old and ranked outside the top 850 in the world, Luke Donald wasn’t expected to contend. But a bogey-free 67 changed that. He showed precision, calm, and a short game that held up under pressure. For someone who hadn’t made a PGA Tour cut all year, Donald’s Thursday performance was a reminder of what experience and sharp decision-making can still deliver at the highest level.
His name on the leaderboard added weight to an already unpredictable day. Donald played like a contender. He proved that rankings don’t tell the full story and that course knowledge matters. While most attention was on younger, higher-ranked players, Donald’s round forced a shift in focus. He reminded the golf world that past champions always have something left in the tank.
Alex Smalley Shows How Alternates Can Make Moves
Alex Smalley made the most of his chance. As a late alternate, he was a late addition to the field but didn’t waste it. His opening 67 was controlled and confident, showing composure beyond expectation. Smalley avoided trouble, capitalized on short approaches, and converted on the greens. It was the kind of round that puts pressure on the established names to respond quickly or risk falling behind early.
The fact that Smalley came in as an alternate made the performance more compelling. He wasn’t on anyone’s watchlist going into Thursday, but by day’s end, he was firmly in contention. His performance is a great example of how quickly roles can flip in a major. Explore Latest PGA News on FanDuel to follow more breakout performances like Smalley’s.
A Field of Underdogs Pushes Betting Lines
On Thursday, 19 players finished at 3-under or better, and most of them were well outside the world’s top 100. It wasn’t the leaderboard anyone expected. Big names like McIlroy, Spieth, and Schauffele found themselves chasing early. The top 10 has players with little to no major experience. The opening round delivered a shakeup that changed the stakes across the rest of the week.
Oddsmakers moved quickly. Long-shot odds dropped, props reset, and futures markets shifted after just one day of action. It’s rare for a leaderboard to flip this hard, but that’s exactly what happened. These changes reminded everyone that Thursday scores matter. It reshaped expectations in just 18 holes and kept everyone guessing from there.