Twelve hours into the third round of the 108th PGA Championship, the leaderboard remained tightly contested, providing no clear revelations. Fourteen players shared the lead at various points during the round, with twenty-two competitors within four shots of the lead—marking the highest number ever at this stage of a PGA Championship.
Key Highlights from Round 3 at Aronimink
1. Alex Smalley took his first 54-hole lead in a major championship. The 29-year-old has recorded three consecutive rounds in the 60s, making him the only player in the field to achieve this. With a track record of four straight top-20 finishes on the PGA Tour, Smalley, still seeking his first Tour victory, could become one of the biggest surprises of the decade in major golf.
2. Smalley, ranked 53rd in strokes gained putting heading into the event, now sits third in this statistic after three rounds. His birdie on the 18th hole marked the 11th putt made from 10 feet or longer—leading the field. To clinch the Wanamaker Trophy, he needs to improve on the opening holes where he has struggled, currently three over par for the week.
3. Five players share second place, the highest number entering the final round since 1993. Among them are four aiming for their maiden major title: Aaron Rai seeks to become England’s first PGA Champion in the stroke-play era. Nick Taylor aims to join the ranks of Canadian major champions alongside Mike Weir, while Matti Schmid and Ludvig Åberg are also in the hunt for their first major victories.
4. Two-time major winner Jon Rahm, despite missing two short putts, posted a commendable 67. His performance influences perceptions regarding the LIV Golf league he left last season. While a win could bolster his status, no Spaniard has yet claimed the PGA Championship, the only major title absent from their national trophy case.
5. Rory McIlroy’s 66 keeps him in contention, marking the 25th time he has scored 66 or better in a major, trailing only Tiger Woods. McIlroy saw a resurgence after a slow start, managing six birdies on Saturday, although he hasn’t performed well on par-5s, a stark contrast to his success in past major victories.
6. Xander Schauffele, seeking his second PGA Championship title, will be paired with McIlroy in the final round. He’s healthy this week, ranking in the top five for both driving accuracy and putting, a significant improvement from last year when injuries hindered his performance. A victory would position him among a select group of American players under 40 with three or more major titles.
7. Patrick Reed, tied for seventh, is three strokes off the lead following his best weekend score in a major since 2022. Although his driving accuracy has been poor, his short game remains strong. He will compete alongside Maverick McNealy, who is also in contention after a solid performance at the Masters.
