Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Alex Smalley Leads 2026 PGA by Two, Scheffler Five Behind

5/18/2026

42 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Alex Smalley leads the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club by two strokes, with Scottie Scheffler five shots back.
The field includes twenty-two golfers within two strokes of the lead and forty-three inside six strokes heading into the final round.
The pins, among the toughest ever with narrow ridges and a spine-like green on the 14th, faced gusty weather on Thursday and Friday that pushed rounds past five hours.

History

Historical Context

In August 1999 Tiger Woods captured his first PGA Championship at Medinah, winning by one stroke and a $630,000 purse, a breakthrough that began his era of major dominance. The tournament’s tradition of tight leaderboards resurfaced in 2026 at Aronimink, where Alex Smalley leads Scottie Scheffler by two strokes, echoing past close duels.

1 of 2

Story summary

Alex Smalley leads the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club by two strokes, with Scottie Scheffler five shots back.
The field includes twenty-two golfers within two strokes of the lead and forty-three inside six strokes heading into the final round.
The pins, among the toughest ever with narrow ridges and a spine-like green on the 14th, faced gusty weather on Thursday and Friday that pushed rounds past five hours.

1 / 2