What's happened
Alex Smalley has been left top of the leaderboard in a tightly packed final day at Aronimink, with 21 players within four shots. Major champions including Rahm, McIlroy and Schauffele are chasing, while Swift shifts in winds and pins threaten to reshape Sunday’s outcome.
What's behind the headline?
live, markdown style analysis
- The field is compact, making Sunday a high-pressure finale where a handful of big names can prevail.
- The course is playing US Open-esque according to players, with wind and pin placements complicating decisions on approach shots.
- Expect leaders to adapt to shifting winds; late birdie responses could swing the title.
- Rahm remains a threat with renewed major form, while Gotterup's late surge shows how quickly the leaderboard can swing.
How we got here
The PGA Championship at Aronimink in Pennsylvania has seen variable winds and treacherous greens. Smalley, world No. 78, has built a slim advantage in a crowded leaderboard as wind and course conditions have challenged even seasoned players.
Our analysis
The Guardian (Andy Bull) reports Smalley has a lead with 21 players within four shots; The Scotsman (Martin Dempster) notes windier conditions and Gotterup’s 65, moving within one off the lead; additional Scottish coverage provides context on local players and comments from Chris Gotterup and Colin Montgomerie.
Go deeper
- Which player will mount the most momentum on Sunday?
- How will wind shifts affect putting on the final holes?
- Who among the leaders has the discipline to close it out?
More on these topics
-
Aronimink Golf Club - Golf club
Aronimink Golf Club is a private country club in the eastern United States, located in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, a suburb west of Philadelphia. Its championship layout is consistently rated among the nation's top golf courses.
-
Scottie Scheffler - American professional golfer
Scottie Scheffler is an American professional golfer, who currently plays on the PGA Tour. Scheffler was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey but moved to Dallas, Texas at a young age.
-
Rory McIlroy - Professional golfer
Rory McIlroy MBE is a professional golfer from Northern Ireland who is a member of both the European and PGA Tours. He is a former world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking, having spent over 100 weeks in that position during his career.