Alex Smalley leads the PGA Championship at 6 under entering Sunday as Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler chase at Aronimink.
Saturday at the PGA Championship felt less like a golf tournament and more like controlled chaos.
The leaderboard flipped constantly at Aronimink Golf Club, with contenders rising and falling by the minute during a wild third round at the 108th PGA Championship. By the end of it all, Alex Smalley emerged as the last man standing atop the board at 6 under after a gritty 2-under 68.
That score gives Smalley a two-shot edge heading into Sunday over a crowded pack that includes Jon Rahm, Ludvig Åberg, Aaron Rai, Matti Schmid and Nick Taylor.
For a player still searching for his first PGA Tour victory, the moment is enormous.
Smalley’s round didn’t come easy, but he kept answering pressure with birdies, including a clutch one at the 18th that created breathing room entering the final round. The nerves are real, but so is the opportunity.
Meanwhile, the stars are circling.
Rory McIlroy suddenly looks dangerous again after firing rounds of 67 and 66 over the last two days. After opening the tournament outside the top 100, McIlroy fought his way back to 3 under and right back into the championship conversation.
“If I had to play the last three holes at 1 under instead of 1 over, I would have got to 5,” McIlroy said. “I feel like I still did enough to think I have a chance going into tomorrow.”
McIlroy’s putter has completely changed his week. On greens that have frustrated much of the field, he finally looks comfortable, and that’s a terrifying development for everyone ahead of him.
Rahm sits even closer at 4 under, though his Saturday ended painfully with a three-putt on the final hole that dropped him out of a share of the lead. Still, the Spaniard remains the betting favorite because of his experience and ball-striking.
Åberg may actually be hitting it better than anyone. The Swedish star has been elite tee-to-green throughout the week, but inconsistent putting has kept him from taking full control.
Then there’s Scottie Scheffler.
The defending PGA champion looked poised to make a weekend charge before his putter completely betrayed him Saturday. Scheffler missed six putts inside 10 feet and fell to 1 under, five shots behind Smalley and tied for 23rd.
He’s still dangerous, but the number of players between him and the lead matters almost as much as the deficit itself.
Xander Schauffele, Patrick Reed, Joaquin Niemann and Justin Rose are also lurking within striking distance heading into Sunday.
The PGA Championship now comes down to one final round with major stars everywhere, a first-time leader trying to hold on and a course that refuses to give anyone an easy ride.
Join Our Roundtable Community For Free!
Share your takes, connect with our Roundtable writers, and talk sports with fellow fans. Download the free Roundtable App today and stay closer to the conversation.