Smalley Leads by Two in Final Round of US PGA Championship

Alex Smalley, a 29-year-old from North Carolina, took a two-shot lead into the final round of the US PGA Championship at Aronimink on May 17, 2026. He finished the day at six under after recovering from four bogeys in the first nine holes, concluding with a round of two under. This placed him atop the leaderboard, but a tightly packed field of competitors was not far behind.

The day's play was characterized by rapidly changing fortunes on the leaderboard as various players experienced both birdies and bogeys. As the round progressed, Smalley edged ahead after making a birdie on the par-five 16th hole, becoming the sole leader. This was particularly notable as it marked the first time in his career that he held the 54-hole lead in a professional tournament.

Smalley’s two-shot advantage left him with a five-way tie for second place. Among those trailing him were Jon Rahm, who had regained form and was positioned at four under, as well as Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Reed, who were all one shot further back.

The leaderboard was notable for its congestion, with 21 players within four shots of the lead, including several major champions. Justin Rose, Martin Kaymer, Cameron Smith, and Hideki Matsuyama were all tied at two under, while Scottie Scheffler, despite a lackluster performance with his putter, remained five shots off Smalley's pace.

“I’ve never seen a leaderboard this bunched up. It’s quite literally anybody’s tournament,” Scheffler commented, reflecting the competitive atmosphere.

Smalley expressed some discomfort with the spotlight, recalling his challenges adjusting to playing before large crowds. However, after a troubled start, he exhibited remarkable resilience by shooting five under par in the last ten holes of his round.

Aaron Rai from England also featured prominently in the second-place tie before faltering on the 18th hole. Historically, it had been over a century since an Englishman last won the US PGA Championship, placing Rai in a position to potentially end this long-standing drought.

As many players focused entirely on their score without considering the leaderboard, it became evident that the intricate greens required full concentration. This heightened tension could lead to an extraordinary finish on Sunday, with conditions improving as the sun shone and wind direction shifted, making the course slightly more forgiving.

McIlroy, who improved significantly after a poor opening round, noted that while his previous criticism about tournament conditions had sparked tension, the entertainment value of the championship remained high. As the final round approached, he felt confident, declaring, "There’s one more day left, and I feel like I’m close enough to the lead that I’ve still got a good chance." The excitement surrounding the tournament was palpable as all competitors prepared for a thrilling final day.