Alex Smalley leading packed PGA leaderboard heading into final round: ‘Absolute free-for-all’
Alex Smalley holds a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink after shooting a 68 in the third round. The leaderboard is exceptionally crowded, with 30 players within five shots of the lead, creating a highly unpredictable finish. Players including Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele are among those in contention, setting up a dramatic final day.
- ▪Alex Smalley, ranked 78th in the world, leads the tournament at 6 under par seeking his first career PGA Tour win.
- ▪Five players are tied for second at 4 under par, including Jon Rahm, Ludvig Åberg, Aaron Rai, Nick Taylor, and Matti Schmid.
- ▪Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Reed are among the group at 3 under par after strong third-round performances.
- ▪There are 30 players within five shots of the lead, making it one of the most tightly bunched leaderboards in major championship history.
- ▪Eleven of the last 14 PGA Championship winners have come from the final pairing, with Smalley and Schmid set to play together on Sunday.
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Golf Alex Smalley leading packed PGA leaderboard heading into final round: ‘Absolute free-for-all’ By Mark Cannizzaro Published May 16, 2026, 9:44 p.m. ET NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. — Buckle up. Sunday’s PGA Championship final round at Aronimink is guaranteed to be a wild ride. Seat belts required. “An absolute free-for-all,’’ is the way Xander Schauffele described the tournament as it careens into the final round. 5 Alex Smalley, who has the third-round lead at the PGA Championship, hits his tee shot on the 18th hole on May 16, 2026. James Lang-Imagn Images After two days of widespread player angst with what Schauffele described as “diabolical pin placements’’ coupled with whipping winds, Saturday’s third round morphed into one of the most fascinating days in recent major championship history.
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