Ryan Gerard doesn't have quite the same amount of experience playing Quail Hollow as some of the PGA Tour veterans playing in this week's PGA Championship. But the 25-year-old may be as familiar with the Charlotte course's closing hole as anyone.

The two-time PGA champ prepared at Quail Hollow last week then arrived for the tournament Wednesday night, but is likely going home early after an opening 79.

Five-time major champion Brooks Koepka turned in another poor scorecard at Quail Hollow, the site of this week's PGA Championship.

After they finished their first round on Thursday morning, Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele both expressed their frustration with playing the ball down this week, and it figures to be a story throughout the championship.

Tyler Collet's game is trending at just the right time. Last month, the assistant pro at John’s Island Club won the 2025 PGA Professional Championship by a record 10 strokes, punching his ticket to this week’s PGA Championship.

Alex Smalley was the fifth alternate in the PGA Championship when the field was announced last week. He was first alternate when the week began.