Smalley, McNealy atop crowded PGA leaderboard
Key takeaways
- 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.
- They were at 4-under 136, the highest 36-hole score to lead the PGA Championship since 2012 at Kiawah Island (4-under 140).
- Everyone from Chris Gotterup and Hideki Matsuyama, defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas, even Masters champion Rory McIlroy.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. -- 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 Mc Nealy, 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. Mc Nealy, 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).