Ryan Gerard grew up on public golf courses in the Raleigh area, went to UNC and leads the field into Day 2 at Quail Hollow. Alex Smalley, another NC kid, is tied for second.

Here are 5 things to know about Gerard, a 25-year-old pro in his first full season as a card-carrying member of the PGA Tour.

The last time the PGA Championship came to Quail Hollow Club, in 2017, Ryan Gerard was moving into his freshman dorm at North Carolina. Six months later, Gerard and his Tar Heel teammates found themselves standing on Quail’s 18th tee for what seemed like the hundredth time.