Smalley Leads US PGA Championship by Two Shots as Big Names Lurk

AI Summary

Alex Smalley takes a two-shot lead into the final round of the US PGA Championship, but faces stiff competition from a congested leaderboard featuring several major champions.

The Lead

Alex Smalley, a 29-year-old from North Carolina, has taken a two-shot lead into the final round of the US PGA Championship. He is currently on six under par, ahead of a five-way tie for second place.

The Congested Leaderboard

The leaderboard is extremely congested, with 21 players within four shots of the lead. Eight major champions are among them, including Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Reed.

The Key Players

Smalley: World No 78 and seeking his first professional win.
Rahm: Has rediscovered his major form and is on four under par.
McIlroy: Has played himself back into contention after a rocky start.
Scheffler: Still in the mix despite struggling with his putter.

The Final Round

The final round promises to be exciting, with many players still in contention. Smalley will need to hold his nerve to secure his first professional win, while the likes of McIlroy and Rahm will be looking to mount a challenge.

The Prediction

The tournament has been criticized for its difficult pin positions, but the final round could see a more generous setup. This could lead to a low-scoring round and a thrilling conclusion to the championship.