Eight years ago, Ryan Gerard was just another college kid unpacking boxes in his dorm at the University of North Carolina, probably more focused on class schedules than golf scores.
Back then, the PGA Championship was being played just a few hours away at Quail Hollow—but Gerard was on the outside looking in.
Fast-forward to 2025, and that same college student has turned into a surprise frontrunner at one of golf’s biggest tournaments, now taking place at that very same course in Charlotte, North Carolina. Talk about a full-circle moment.
A Breakout Round from a Hometown Underdog
Now 25, Gerard is making a name for himself in a big way.
On Thursday, he carded a five-under-par 66 in his opening round—a performance that had him leading the early wave of players, even ahead of big names like Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Xander Schauffele.
His scorecard was anything but boring: six birdies, one eagle, and three bogeys.
Not perfect, but definitely electric enough to turn heads.
Hometown Comfort Could Be His Secret Weapon
Born in Raleigh, just three hours away, Gerard chose to stay close to home when he played college golf for UNC.
That sense of comfort and familiarity seems to be paying off.
“I feel very comfortable here,” he said after the round.
“There are a lot of people I know around, and I’ve had the chance to play this course quite a few times.
It really helped with getting ready for this week.”
He wasn’t shy about his Tar Heel pride either. “I heard so many ‘Go Heels’ out there today.
North Carolina really shows up for its own.”
A Tour Rookie with a Steady Start
This year marks Gerard’s first full season with a PGA Tour card.
So far, he’s flown under the radar with a solid but unspectacular performance record.
With just two professional wins to his name—neither of them on the PGA Tour—and only two appearances in majors, expectations weren’t exactly sky-high.
He missed the cut at the 2022 U.S. Open and finished tied for 56th the following year.
But this week at Quail Hollow? He’s looking like a different player entirely.
Another Local Standout Steals the Spotlight
And Gerard wasn’t the only one giving North Carolina fans something to cheer about.
Alex Smalley, another name with regional ties, also made waves with a four-under 67 in the opening round—just one shot behind Gerard.
Unlike Gerard, Smalley played his college golf for Duke and now lives in Greensboro, a couple of hours north of Charlotte.
What made his round even more impressive? He only found out he’d be playing 15 hours before tee time.
A Last-Minute Call That Turned Into a Golden Opportunity
Smalley was originally the first alternate and wasn’t expecting to compete until Sahith Theegala withdrew due to a neck injury.
That sudden change gave Smalley the green light—and he didn’t waste the chance.
“I just prepared like I would for any other tournament,” he said.
After heading home from last week’s event in Myrtle Beach, he was back on the road, making sure to squeeze in some practice rounds before the big day.
“I was kind of losing hope as the hours passed,” he admitted.
“But thankfully, I found out in time to mentally get ready and make the most of it.”
A Shared History—and a Bit of Friendly Rivalry
Turns out, Gerard and Smalley aren’t strangers.
They’ve played together many times as junior golfers, and Gerard even threw in a playful jab about Smalley’s Duke roots.
But all joking aside, both players share a bond over their North Carolina connections—and they’re proving that local talent can stand toe-to-toe with the best in the world.
A Lesson That Still Echoes Eight Years Later
Back in 2017, not long after that year’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, Gerard’s college coach at UNC pulled a move that has stayed with him ever since.
He took Gerard and five teammates to the 18th tee and gave them a unique challenge—they couldn’t leave until all six made par on the hole at the same time.
“It probably took us over an hour,” Gerard laughed. “We’d go back again and again.
Nobody wanted to be the guy who missed the par putt and made everyone replay it.”
While Gerard bogeyed the 18th on Thursday, he left the course this time with a smile—and no coach forcing him back to the tee.
Eyes on the Prize as the Weekend Approaches
Gerard knows he still has a long road ahead, but that first round performance has him dreaming big.
And with a little hometown magic on his side, he might just make that dream come true by Sunday.
One thing’s for sure: whether it’s a UNC walk-on or a last-minute alternate from Duke, this year’s PGA Championship is already full of unexpected stories—and we’re just getting started.