Golf-Vegas grabs two-shot lead at Quail Hollow, McIlroy struggles

FILE PHOTO: May 13, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Rory McIlroy watches his approach to five green during a practice round for the PGA Championship golf tournament at Quail Hollow. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images/File Photo

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (Reuters) -Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas used a late birdie blitz to grab his first career lead in a major after the first round of the PGA Championship on Thursday while Rory McIlroy struggled in his first major since completing the career Grand Slam.

Vegas stormed up the leaderboard with five birdies over his final six holes for a seven-under-par 64 at North Carolina's Quail Hollow Club that left him two shots clear of Australian Cam Davis and little-known American Ryan Gerard.