Jon Rahm charged into the heart of the PGA Championship on Saturday, turning a crowded leaderboard into a tense sprint toward Sunday at Aronimink Golf Club.
After opening rounds of 67 and 69, Alex Smalley kept control with a third-round 68, using a late push to carve out a two-stroke advantage over a tightly packed group of contenders. Reports indicate that surge gave him a narrow cushion, but not much breathing room, with Rahm among the players pressing hard behind him.
Key Facts
- Alex Smalley opened with rounds of 67 and 69.
- He shot a third-round 68 on Saturday at Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
- Smalley held a two-stroke lead after his late move.
- Jon Rahm joined a crowded group of contenders near the top.
Rahm’s climb matters because it changes the feel of the tournament. A slim lead can disappear fast in a major, and a proven contender near the top raises the pressure on every player ahead of the final round. The leaderboard now looks less like a solo run and more like a test of nerve, pace, and timely shot-making.
Saturday turned the PGA Championship into a chase, with Alex Smalley still in front and Jon Rahm close enough to make Sunday feel very long.
The setting only sharpens that tension. Aronimink has already produced movement across the board, and the small margin between first place and the chasing pack suggests little room for error. Sources suggest the final round will hinge on who handles that pressure best rather than who simply starts the day with the cleanest card.
Now the tournament shifts from positioning to proof. Smalley carries the lead, Rahm carries momentum, and the rest of the field remains close enough to matter. Sunday will decide whether Smalley can finish the job or whether one of the biggest names in the mix turns a crowded chase into a major championship statement.