Alex Smalley leads PGA Championship by two shots

Alex Smalley will take a two-shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the PGA Championship after shooting a 2-under 68 on May 16 at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The 29-year-old reached 6-under 204 after a round that opened with three bogeys in his first four holes and closed with three birdies in his last four. The margin is small by the standards of a major championship, and the leaderboard behind him is crowded. PGA Championship coverage and Yahoo Sports both reported that 22 players were within four shots of the lead after 54 holes. ### How did Smalley get back in front after a shaky start? Smalley opened his third round in 2-over 37 on the front nine before turning the day around on the inward half. The PGA Championship’s official report said he played the back nine in 4-under 31, with birdies in three of his final four holes, to post 68 and reclaim the solo lead at Aronimink. (pgachampionship.com) Smalley said the conditions changed during the round. “The wind was certainly up when we first started the round,” he said, according to the PGA Championship report, adding that he was able to hit more fairways on the back nine as the wind eased. ### How crowded is the leaderboard behind him? (pgachampionship.com) The number that defines Sunday is 22. PGA Championship coverage said 22 players were within four shots of Smalley’s lead, while Yahoo Sports described a field packed with contenders after a day in which several players moved into range. (pgachampionship.com) At 4-under, Jon Rahm, Aaron Rai, Matti Schmid, Nick Taylor and Ludvig Åberg were tied for second, according to Yahoo Sports’ live leaderboard. At 3-under, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Reed and Maverick McNealy were among the next group. Scottie Scheffler, the defending PGA champion, finished the round at 1-under, five shots back. (pgachampionship.com) ### Which major champions are still in the hunt? Rahm, McIlroy, Schauffele, Reed, Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Cameron Smith, Hideki Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka and Scheffler were all listed by the PGA Championship among the notable names still close enough to contend. The official event report said that group included multiple past major winners spread from two to five shots behind Smalley. (sports.yahoo.com) Schauffele, the 2024 PGA champion, said the depth of the leaderboard would keep pressure on the leaders into the closing stretch. “It’s a jam-packed leaderboard,” Schauffele said, according to the PGA Championship report. “Come tomorrow, there’s going to be 25, 30 guys within striking distance with 9 to 10 holes to play.” (pgachampionship.com) ### Why is Smalley’s position notable? The PGA Championship said Smalley had never previously held a 54-hole lead in his PGA Tour career. The official report also noted that the American is still seeking his first PGA Tour victory, which means Sunday presents a chance for both a first tour win and a first major title. (pgachampionship.com) Yahoo Sports said Smalley began Saturday as a 36-hole co-leader with Maverick McNealy. After the early bogeys, he appeared to slip out of control of the tournament before the late birdies restored his advantage. ### What role did Aronimink’s conditions play on Saturday? (pgachampionship.com) Aronimink played differently across the day. The PGA Championship report said morning conditions were the most favorable of the week, with lighter wind and more accessible hole locations, before the wind picked up again shortly before the leaders teed off. (sports.yahoo.com) Smalley said he had watched players make birdies earlier in the day before the course toughened. He said the stronger wind made it harder to hit fairways, greens and short putts once his round began. ### What happens Sunday? The final round was scheduled for Sunday, May 17, at Aronimink Golf Club, with live leaderboard updates and tee times available through PGA Championship coverage and Yahoo Sports. (pgachampionship.com) Smalley was set to start the day at 6-under, with Rahm, Rai, Schmid, Taylor and Åberg two shots behind and McIlroy, Schauffele and Reed three back. (sports.yahoo.com)