McIlroy came in as the co-favorite, but his long-time dominance didn't show up in the first round as he struggled to a 74

Rory McIlroy entered the 107th PGA Championship looking for his second straight major win, but now even making the cut is going to be difficult.

Ryan Gerard grew up on public golf courses in the Raleigh area, went to UNC and leads the field into Day 2 at Quail Hollow. Alex Smalley, another NC kid, is tied for second.

Ryan Gerard stumbled late but still held a one-shot PGA Championship clubhouse lead on Thursday at Quail Hollow where Rory McIlroy, in his first major since completing the career Grand Slam, struggled on a course he is used to dominating.

PGA Championship runs Thursday through Sunday at Charlotte's Quail Hollow. Xander Schauffele won the event last year.

Mud balls are dominating the conversation at the PGA Championship. Scottie Scheffler and Xander Schauffele both made double bogey from the middle of the 16th fairway with mud splotches on their golf balls.

European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald of England shot a first-round 4-under-par 67 to become among the early leaders in the PGA Championship on Thursday from golfers in the morning wave at Quail Hollow.

The PGA of America smartly created a mega group for the first two rounds of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, putting together Scheffler, the World No. 1, with the next two men in the rankings, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele.

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.