Golf’s Top Trio Stumbles on No. 16 at Quail Hollow in PGA Championship Opener

The three best golfers in the world — Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele — walked into the 16th tee box at Quail Hollow on Thursday amid a sea of fans. But what followed was anything but world-class. All three walked off the green minutes later with matching double bogeys, frustration etched on their faces, and a surprising shared low point during the first round of the PGA Championship in Charlotte.

Their collective meltdown — a “triple double” — was the unfortunate highlight of the day for the heavily-hyped “supergroup,” which drew one of the largest galleries. As Scheffler dryly joked afterward:
“I kept the honor by making a double on a hole — probably the first and last time that’ll happen in my career unless we get some crazy weather conditions.”

Despite the misstep, Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer, managed to bounce back, finishing with a 2-under-par 69. He trailed the leader, Ryan Gerard, by three shots (Gerard shot 66). Schauffele, ranked No. 3 in the world, carded a 1-over 72. The biggest surprise was McIlroy, the world’s No. 2 and a four-time winner at Quail Hollow, who posted a disappointing 3-over 74 after hitting just four of 14 fairways. The reigning Masters champion will now need a strong Friday performance just to make the cut.

On hole 16 — their seventh of the day, since they started on the back nine — McIlroy scrambled through but avoided the water. Scheffler and Schauffele weren’t as lucky. From seemingly perfect lies in the middle of the fairway, both sent shots into the water, blaming it on “mud balls” — a term for when wet, clinging dirt alters the flight of a golf ball.

Earlier rain had softened the fairways, but the PGA of America had opted against using “preferred lies,” a rule that would have allowed players to lift, clean, and place their ball. That decision proved controversial.

“It’s frustrating to hit the middle of the fairway, get mud on the ball, and then have no idea where it’ll go,” Scheffler said. “You spend your life learning to control a golf ball, and suddenly, because of a rules decision, you lose all control.”

Schauffele echoed the frustration:
“I had a ridiculous mud ball there with Scottie. We aimed miles right, and the ball still ended up in the water. It’s just unfortunate to hit a good shot and get penalized. It feels kind of stupid. I’m sure a lot of guys are unhappy with how the course is playing.”

McIlroy did not speak to reporters after his round. His 74 came as a shock, especially given his impressive track record at Quail Hollow — including a win there just last year.

Despite the early stumble, Scheffler kept his composure and clawed back into contention.
“I could have let that mud ball ruin my round. It might have cost me two shots, but if I had dwelled on it, it could’ve cost five. I’m proud I stayed focused and finished strong.”

As for the muddy conditions, Schauffele predicted more trouble ahead:
“The mud balls are going to get worse. It’s getting to that perfect zone — damp underneath, sticky on top — and it’s going to keep affecting shots.”