McNealy, Smalley share PGA lead

Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley reached the halfway point of the PGA Championship at 4-under par on Friday, giving the tournament two unexpected co-leaders at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. McNealy shot 67 in the second round, while Smalley posted 69 to match him at 136 for the week. The official PGA Championship leaderboard listed a crowded group close behind, with separation still limited after 36 holes. The cut came at 4-over par, and several prominent names, including Bryson DeChambeau and Tommy Fleetwood, were out before the weekend. ### How did McNealy and Smalley get to the top? Maverick McNealy moved into a share of the lead with a 3-under 67 on Friday, a round that left him at 4-under through two days. USA Today’s live coverage said his score was enough to put him alongside Smalley atop the board at day’s end. Yahoo Sports also reported that McNealy survived a tightly packed leaderboard to stay there. (usatoday.com) Alex Smalley stayed in front with a 1-under 69 after starting the day in the early wave. The Associated Press, via PGA Tour coverage, said Smalley recovered from three straight bogeys after the turn and finished with a birdie. That left him tied with McNealy in only his fifth major championship, according to the same report. (usatoday.com) ### Why has Aronimink kept scores compressed? Aronimink Golf Club is playing as a par 70 at 7,394 yards this week, according to PGA Championship course material. The course breakdown published by the PGA says the Donald Ross layout features demanding approaches and punishing bunkering, and outside reports ahead of the championship said the setup included 180 bunkers. (pgatour.com) Friday’s leaderboard reflected that difficulty. The Associated Press said the first PGA Championship at Aronimink in 64 years “left hope for just about everyone else on a course that hasn't let anyone get too far away,” describing a tournament with little margin between the leaders and the chasing pack. (pgachampionship.com) ### Which big names missed the weekend? Bryson DeChambeau missed the cut at 7-over 147 after a second-round 71, according to Palm Beach Post reporting. CBS Sports said it was the second straight major in which DeChambeau failed to reach the weekend. Tommy Fleetwood was also among the notable players who did not survive Friday. (pgatour.com) USA Today’s cut-line report listed Fleetwood with the headline group of players heading home after 36 holes once the number settled at 4-over. ### How unusual are these names at the top of a major? (palmbeachpost.com) Maverick McNealy entered the week with one PGA Tour victory, the 2024 RSM Classic, and Yahoo Sports said he was coming off a tie for 18th at the Masters last month. CBS Sports’ live coverage said McNealy’s best career major finish was that tie for 18th at the 2026 Masters. (usatoday.com) Alex Smalley’s major record is similarly thin. CBS Sports said Smalley’s best result in a major was a tie for 23rd at the 2023 PGA Championship, while the AP report noted this is only his fifth major start. That has made the top of the leaderboard one of the tournament’s early surprises, though the leaderboard itself remained tight enough to keep established contenders close. (sports.yahoo.com) ### What comes next on Saturday? Third-round play resumes Saturday, May 16, with McNealy and Smalley starting the weekend as co-leaders at 4-under. The official PGA Championship site lists the tournament dates as May 11-17 at Aronimink and is carrying the live leaderboard for the third round. The next checkpoint is 54 holes on Saturday evening, when the field will be reduced to the final-round order for Sunday, May 17. (cbssports.com) Players within a handful of shots of 4-under remained in range after Friday, so the leaderboard is likely to keep shifting through the weekend based on scores posted at Aronimink. (pgachampionship.com)