Smalley leads as McIlroy, Rahm, Rose, and Rai impress

In the third round of the US PGA Championship on 2026, Alex Smalley emerged as the leader, having carded a score of 68 to sit at six under overall. Notably, he led by two strokes, with Jon Rahm, Ludvig Aberg, and Aaron Rai chasing closely at four under. Rory McIlroy, after a challenging first day, regained form to reach three under, boosting his chances of securing his third US PGA title, following a successful Masters defense last month.

Saturday is traditionally known as ‘moving day’ in golf tournaments. The day saw significant movement on the leaderboard, with 14 players at one point sharing the lead, and 30 players within five shots of Smalley, reflecting the intense competition. The PGA of America had adjusted the course setup following criticism, including from world number one Scottie Scheffler, which contributed to a more accessible scoring environment.

Rory McIlroy, who struggled early in the tournament with a four-over 74, improved his game significantly on Saturday, shooting a 66. He played aggressively, attempting to place pressure on the leaders by aiming to reach five under. Although he faltered with a bogey on 17, he remained optimistic about his chances of becoming just the sixth player to win the first two majors of the year.

Justin Rose also made a notable surge, finishing his round with a 65, putting him at two under overall. This appearance comes after a tough loss in last year’s Masters, where he finished as a runner-up to McIlroy. Jon Rahm kept pace, maintaining his pursuit of a major title with a 67, putting him close to the lead.

Among those in the mix is also Aaron Rai, who, along with Rahm, sits at four under. Notably, the last player to win the US PGA without a victory on the PGA Tour before was John Daly in 1991, and Smalley, entering the tournament without a professional win, aimed to emulate this.

Despite a slower start, with three bogeys in his first four holes, Smalley rebounded with birdies on holes 10, 13, 15, and 16. He ultimately finished his round with a birdie on the final hole, extending his lead. With the final group set for Sunday, Smalley will play alongside Germany’s Matti Schmid, who also looks for his first pro win after an impressive round of 65. The stage is set for a compelling final day at Aronimink.