PGA Championship 2026 Round 3 Recap: Alex Smalley Leads at Aronimink as Scheffler Falls Back

Alex Smalley took the 54-hole lead at the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club after Saturday’s third round, sitting at 6-under par and holding a two-shot advantage over a group of players that includes Jon Rahm, Ludvig Aberg, Matti Schmid, Nick Taylor, and Aaron Rai. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, who had co-led after the opening round with a 67, battled to a 71 on Saturday and sits at 1-under, tied for 23rd heading into Sunday’s final round.

Smalley, a 28-year-old from Southern California, posted rounds of 67-69-68 to reach 204 for the tournament. His patient approach and consistent ball-striking have been the story of moving day at a major that has seen significant movement on the leaderboard. Smalley has yet to win a PGA Tour event, which would make a potential victory Sunday one of the more unexpected major championship outcomes in recent memory.

The Leaderboard at a Glance

Behind Smalley at 4-under are a congested group of contenders at various points in the third round. Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion, shot a 67 on Saturday to move into contention alongside Aberg, whose second-round 66 vaulted him into the picture. Nick Taylor and Matti Schmid also shot 65 on Saturday and joined the chasing pack at 4-under. Aaron Rai rounds out the group at the same score after a 67.

Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele are each at 3-under, two shots off the lead heading into Sunday’s final pairing. McIlroy, who is seeking his fifth major championship, posted a 66 on Saturday to climb into a tie for seventh. The cut removed a number of notable names from competition, including Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa, and Viktor Hovland.

Scheffler’s Faded Chances and What Sunday Holds

Scheffler opened the PGA Championship with a stunning 67 to take a share of the first-round lead and entered the weekend as the betting favorite. A 71 on Friday slipped him back, and another 71 on Saturday has pushed him outside realistic contention at 1-under. While no deficit is insurmountable in major championship golf, Smalley and several other players would need to significantly falter for Scheffler to post the low round required to get back into contention.

From a betting perspective, Sunday’s final round presents some of the most compelling wagering opportunities of the golf calendar. Those who want to check updated odds can browse live golf odds ahead of Sunday’s tee times. Smalley’s first-time major winner odds figure to be attractive, while the veteran contenders like McIlroy and Schauffele will carry tighter prices given their major championship experience and demonstrated ability to close. Smalley tees off in the final pairing on Sunday, meaning the spotlight will be intense for a player who has never won on the PGA Tour.

The final round of the PGA Championship at Aronimink is scheduled for Sunday. Coverage is expected to begin in the early afternoon with the featured groups finishing in the late afternoon or early evening.