PGA Championship: The huge names in danger of missing the cut

The PGA Championship is underway and so far the leaderboard at the second men's major of the year is not what we expected. 

Venezuelan PGA Tour veteran Jhonattan Vegas was the surprise leader after 18 holes at Quail Hollow in North Carolina. 

The 40-year-old hit five birdies over his final six holes on Thursday evening to jump out in front two strokes clear of American Ryan Gerard and Australia's Cam Davis. 

Ryder Cup captains Keegan Bradley and Luke Donald also impressed on day one. 

Aside from reigning World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, there are several notables who are in danger of missing the cut. 

Let's take a look...

Rory McIlroy

First round score: 74

The Masters champion started well with a birdie on his very first hole but struggled over the 17 remaining holes. 

McIlroy only managed to hit four fairways and he decided to skip talking to the media ahead of the second round. 

The 36-year-old begins his second round at 18.47pm BST alongside Scheffler and Xander Schauffele. 

Brooks Koepka

First round score: 75

Koepka looked as though he was going to comfortably make the cut at last month's Masters but came unstuck in dramatic fashion on his 36th hole at Augusta National. 

The 35-year-old will need to produce something special today if he wants to have a chance of adding to his three PGA Championship titles. 

Phil Mickelson

First round score: 79

Lefty came into the second men's major of the year full of confidence but a disastrous opening round means it's almost certain we will not see the six-time major champ over the weekend. 

Dustin Johnson

First round score: 78

Like Mickelson, Dustin Johnson has struggled to find form in the major championships since switching to the LIV Golf League. 

Johnson missed the cut at The Masters in a similar way to the aforemetioned Koepka and he was poor on Thursday at Quail Hollow. 

Patrick Cantlay

First round score: 74

Cantlay's finish at the Truist Championship last week hinted at a return to form. But the American has plenty of work to do in round two. 

Jason Day

First round score: 73

The Australian is now injury free but will need to ensure he has now blowups on Friday if he is to secure his place over the weekend.

Shane Lowry

First round score: 73

The 2019 Open champion told reporters after his first round he always tends to struggle at Quail Hollow. 

A dejected Lowry said that he struggled to see birdies on the course.

He vowed to battle as hard as he could in his second round. 

Wyndham Clark

First round score: 72

The 2023 U.S. Open champion will also need to ensure he plays steady golf today. 

Min Woo Lee

First round score: 74

The Australian captured his first PGA Tour title earlier in the season but it's looking as though he will only play 36 holes unless he can find some birdies. 

Cameron Smith

First round score: 75

Like Johnson, Smith has also struggled to impress in the majors since his switch to LIV Golf in 2022. 

Justin Rose

First round score: 76

A forgettable day for the Englishman one month after losing in a playoff to McIlroy at The Masters. 

Jordan Spieth

First round score: 76

Spieth came into the 2025 PGA Championship with hopes that he could complete the career grand slam. 

But sadly the American looks as though he will have to wait 12 months for another crack. 

What is the projected cut at the PGA Championship?

There is plenty of golf left but at the time of publication the projected cut is 1-over par.