Alex Smalley leads the PGA Championship with a closing birdie to reach 4-under-par 136. Chris Gotterup's 5-under 65 sets him up for contention.
Alex Smalley secured the clubhouse lead in the final round of the PGA Championship, carding a closing birdie to finish at 4-under-par 136 on Friday. The South African player was one of seven co-leaders after completing the first 18 holes and is now poised to challenge for the title.
Meanwhile, Chris Gotterup, a native of nearby New Jersey who won last year's Scottish Open and placed third in the Open Championship, posted an impressive 5-under 65. This performance was two strokes better than any other round during the tournament. Gotterup birdied holes seven, eight, and nine to surge up the leaderboard.
On the other hand, Hideki Matsuyama of Japan is also a contender. The 2021 Masters champion has been consistent throughout his day with four birdies and one bogey. He highlighted his best putt as the one he made at hole number seven that hung on the lip before being guided in by the wind.
Smealley, who started the day at 3 under par, initially built a cushion but faltered later in the round. He managed to play the back nine in 2-under par but bogeyed holes one, two, and three. However, he bounced back with a birdie at hole four before pitching his third shot on the par-five ninth hole to just 14 inches from the cup.
Other notable players who are still in contention include Jason Day of Australia, who birdied the first two holes of his afternoon round, joining the tie at 3 under. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler completed a 1-over round of 71, dropping to 2-under for the tournament and joining Cameron Young (67) and Justin Thomas (69), both one shot behind the leaders.
Players with afternoon tee times include Xander Schauffele (2 under in the first round), Brooks Koepka (1 under), Jordan Spieth (1 under), Jon Rahm of Spain (1 under), Rickie Fowler (even), Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland (4 over) and Bryson DeChambeau (6 over). The sluggish pace of play has become a topic of discussion around Aronimink Golf Club.
