Alex Smalley has taken control of the US PGA Championship after a steady third round at Oak Hill Country Club. The 26-year-old amateur leads by two strokes at 9-under par, one of the few bright spots in an otherwise forgettable week for him until now. His total of 203 gives him a cushion over the chasing pack, with Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm among those making up serious ground in the final round of play before Sunday’s showdown.

McIlroy, the world number one, started the day six shots behind Smalley but carded a 66 to jump into a tie for second place. Rahm, another former world number one, matched that score with a round that included five birdies and just one bogey. Both players are now within striking distance of Smalley, who has defied expectations by holding onto the lead so far.

The surge from McIlroy and Rahm wasn’t the only movement in the standings. Thirty players remain within five shots of Smalley, making this one of the most unpredictable leaderboards at a major in recent memory. Among them is Justin Rose, who shot a 68 to climb into the mix, and Aaron Rai, who also fired a 66 to stay in contention. The tight grouping means Sunday’s final round could go down to the wire.

Smalley, who plays at Wake Forest in college, has been the surprise package of the week. He’s never won a professional event but has shown remarkable composure under pressure. His caddy for the week, a Wake Forest teammate, has been a steady presence as Smalley navigates his first major championship as a professional. The young American has already eclipsed his best finish in a major by a wide margin.

The chasing pack heats up

McIlroy’s charge has been the headline of the weekend so far. The Northern Irishman has been struggling with his driving accuracy this season but found form with the irons and putter on Saturday. His round of 66 included a brilliant run of birdies on the back nine, where he birdied four of the last six holes. Rahm, meanwhile, has been one of the most consistent players on tour this year, and his third-round showing was another reminder of why he’s a threat in any major.

Rose and Rai, both experienced campaigners, have also made significant moves. Rose, a former US Open winner, has been a model of consistency all week, while Rai’s 66 was his best round of the championship. The Englishman has been one of the most improved players on tour this season, and his performance here suggests he’s capable of more in the future.

What happens next

With just 18 holes to go, the leaderboard is wide open. Smalley will need to hold his nerve if he’s to become the first amateur to win a major since 1967. McIlroy and Rahm, two of the game’s biggest names, won’t let him off the hook easily. The weather forecast for Sunday suggests cooler temperatures and a chance of rain, which could add another layer of unpredictability to the final round.

For Smalley, the challenge is straightforward: keep his head and play the course. For McIlroy and Rahm, it’s about executing under pressure. Whoever emerges victorious on Sunday will have earned it, and the golf world will be watching closely.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: BBC Sport
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 23:25 UTC
  • Category: Sports
  • Topics: #bbc · #sports · #football · #smalley · #ilroy · #rahm

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

No domingo de sol radiante em Oklahoma, o jovem norte-americano Alex Smalley cravou dois birdies nos últimos três buracos e assumiu a liderança do PGA Championship com duas tacadas de vantagem, enquanto as estrelas Rory McIlroy e Jon Rahm dispararam na classificação, prometendo um final de semana eletrizante para os fãs do golfe. Com a prova ainda em andamento, 30 jogadores brigam pela vitória em um torneio que, mais uma vez, coloca os melhores do mundo sob os holofotes da principal competição do calendário dos Estados Unidos.

A presença de McIlroy e Rahm na disputa reacende a rivalidade entre os craques do circuito, especialmente após anos de hegemonia de Tiger Woods, que já não figura mais entre os protagonistas. Para o Brasil, a performance de Rahm — atual número dois do ranking mundial — é motivo de orgulho, já que o espanhol tem laços fortes com o país, tendo conquistado títulos importantes aqui antes de se tornar uma das maiores forças do esporte. Além disso, o torneio ganha destaque no noticiário brasileiro por ser uma das etapas mais prestigiadas do golfe mundial, atraindo milhões de telespectadores e fortalecendo o interesse pelo esporte no país.

Se Smalley conseguir manter a calma no último dia, ele pode se tornar o primeiro norte-americano a vencer o PGA desde 2017, enquanto McIlroy e Rahm buscam mais um troféu para suas coleções repletas de premiações. Com o campo tão acirrado, a definição da vitória promete ficar para a última tacada.