Alex Smalley leads PGA at Aronimink

Alex Smalley entered the final round of the PGA Championship with a two-shot lead after a 2-under 68 on Saturday at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The 29-year-old American reached 6-under 204 through 54 holes after recovering from an unsteady start with a 4-under back nine, according to the PGA Championship’s official recap. Jon Rahm, Aaron Rai, Ludvig Aberg, Matti Schmid and Nick Taylor were tied for second at 4-under, while Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Reed and Maverick McNealy were three shots back. The leaderboard remained unusually compressed going into Sunday. Golf Channel reported that 21 players began the final round within four shots of Smalley, the most within that margin after 54 holes in PGA Championship history, and the PGA Championship’s own recap said 30 players were within five shots. Yahoo Sports said Smalley and Schmid were scheduled to tee off in the final pairing at 2:35 p.m. ET. (pgachampionship.com) ### How did Smalley get back in front after a shaky start? Smalley opened his third round with three bogeys in his first four holes before reversing the round on the inward nine. The PGA Championship said he played the front side in 2-over 37 and then came home in 4-under 31, helped by three birdies over his last four holes. (golfchannel.com) “The wind was certainly up when we first started the round,” Smalley said, according to the PGA Championship. He said the course became easier late in the day when the wind eased on the back nine, adding that he was able to hit more fairways and take advantage of the holes that offered scoring chances. (pgachampionship.com) ### Who was closest to him going into Sunday? Jon Rahm stood out among the nearest pursuers because he was the only previous major winner within two shots of Smalley. Golf Channel listed Rahm alongside Aaron Rai, Ludvig Aberg, Matti Schmid and Nick Taylor at 4-under, two behind the leader. (pgachampionship.com) Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele were part of the next group at 3-under. Yahoo Sports said McIlroy shot a 4-under 66 on Saturday after starting the day at 1-over for the championship, moving himself back into contention before the late groups finished. Patrick Reed and Maverick McNealy also started Sunday three back. (golfchannel.com) Scottie Scheffler began the day farther back but still in range. Yahoo Sports said the world No. 1 started Sunday at 1-under, five strokes behind Smalley, and was paired with David Puig at 12:05 p.m. ET. ### Why was the final-round picture so crowded? (sports.yahoo.com) Aronimink produced shifting conditions on Saturday that kept the field bunched. The PGA Championship said the morning wave saw warmer temperatures, lighter wind and accessible hole locations, while conditions toughened when the wind picked up before the leaders went out. (sports.yahoo.com) Xander Schauffele described the situation as “a jam-packed leaderboard,” according to the PGA Championship recap. He said 25 to 30 players could still be within striking distance deep into the round, calling it “great to watch as a fan” but stressful for players. ### When do the main contenders tee off on Sunday? (pgachampionship.com) Yahoo Sports and Golf Channel published the final-round pairings late Saturday. Smalley and Matti Schmid were set to go last at 2:35 p.m. ET, with Nick Taylor and Jon Rahm at 2:25 p.m., Aaron Rai and Ludvig Aberg at 2:15 p.m., and McIlroy with Schauffele at 2:05 p.m. ET. (pgachampionship.com) Earlier featured groups included Patrick Reed and Maverick McNealy at 1:55 p.m. ET and Scottie Scheffler with David Puig at 12:05 p.m. ET. Yahoo Sports’ published tee sheet also listed Brooks Koepka and Sam Burns together at 12:25 p.m. ET, with Hideki Matsuyama and Chris Gotterup at 12:45 p.m. ET. (sports.yahoo.com) ### What is at stake on Sunday at Aronimink? Smalley had not previously held a 54-hole lead in his PGA Tour career, the PGA Championship said. Yahoo Sports also said he entered Sunday still seeking his first PGA Tour victory, which left him in position to chase both his first tour title and his first major championship on the same day. That combination is an inference from those two reported facts. (sports.yahoo.com) Sunday, May 17, is the final day of the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. The last pairing of Smalley and Schmid is scheduled to start at 2:35 p.m. ET, with Rahm, McIlroy, Schauffele and Scheffler all beginning their rounds earlier in the afternoon. (sports.yahoo.com) (pgachampionship.com)