05/15/26 06:51:00
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05/15 18:49 CDT Smalley and McNealy share PGA Championship lead with a long
list of stars on their heels
Smalley and McNealy share PGA Championship lead with a long list of stars on
their heels
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) --- The first PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club
in 64 years brought a pair of newcomers to the top of the leaderboard Friday in
Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy, and left hope for just about everyone else
on a course that won't let anyone get too far away.
Smalley, in only his fifth major championship, overcame three straight bogeys
after making the turn and closed with a birdie for a 1-under 69. McNealy, who
has never been among the top 25 in any major through 36 holes, fell back with a
pair of late bogeys in his round of 67.
They were at 4-under 136, the highest 36-hole score to lead the PGA
Championship since 2012 at Kiawah Island (4-under 140).
Chasing them? Everyone from Chris Gotterup and Hideki Matsuyama, defending
champion Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas, even Masters champion Rory
McIlroy.
Such is Aronimink --- cold and blustery in the morning and getting faster by
the minute in the late afternoon --- that McIlroy was outside the top 25 after
a bogey-free 67 and still only five behind.
The difference between first and worst was only eight shots, unusually tight
for any tournament, much less a major.
"Anyone who makes the cut, they've got to feel they have a shot in the
tournament," McIlroy said.
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This version corrects it was the highest score since Kiawah Island in 2012
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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