PGA Tour Golfer Surprisingly Withdraws Mid-Round During Championship

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated May 16, 2025 12:57 PM ET

The PGA Championship teed off on Thursday at Quail Hollow. End of day, Jhonattan Vegas held the lead, followed by Cameron Davis and Ryan Gerard tied at second.

Luke Donald and Ryan Fox remained in fourth, tied with three others. Before play resumed for round two on Friday, fans received some unfortunate news.

Patton Kizzire has decided to withdraw from the championship due to an injury after playing the first round. PGA Championship posted on X, "Patton Kizzire has withdrawn from the 2025 PGA Championship due to injury," on Friday morning.

He carded an even-par 70 in the opening round at Quail Hollow—posting a 34 (−1) on the front nine and a 36 (+1) on the back, to sit tied for 58th on the leaderboard after 18 holes.

Before this, he participated in the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic. He shot 67-68-70-69 to finish tied for 20th at 10-under par, solidly and consistently showcasing four consecutive sub-71 rounds but narrowly missing a top-10 result overall.

Patton Kizzire has withdrawn from the 2025 PGA Championship due to injury.
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2025

Another golfer, Shahith Theegala, withdrew before the championship began due to an issue he was suffering in his neck. His replacement Alex Smalley, did quite good in the opening round.

He shot a 4-under-par 67 at Quail Hollow Club, carding five birdies, an eagle at the par-5 4th, and three bogeys to sit tied for fourth place.

A last-minute alternate and Duke University alumnus, he drained a 71-foot eagle putt on No. 17 and thrived on generous fairways and receptive greens. His performance left him just one stroke behind early leader Vegas.

Ryan Gerard takes shock lead at PGA Championship with college rival Alex Smalley also impressing https://t.co/9KU4Ea0734
— Mail Sport (@MailSport) May 15, 2025