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Image source, Getty ImagesByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalist17 May 2026, 00:25 BSTUS PGA Championship third round-6 A Smalley (US); -4 M Schmid (Ger), N Taylor (Can), J Rahm (Spa), A Rai (Eng), L Aberg (Swe); -3 R McIlroy (NI), X Schauffele (US), P Reed (US), M McNealy (US)Selected others: -2 J Rose (Eng), M Kaymer (Ger), H Matsuyama (Jpn); -1 S Scheffler (US), B Koepka (US), R Fowler (US); E P Harrington (Ire), D Johnson (US), C Young (US), J Thomas (US); +3 M Fitzpatrick (Eng); +4 S Lowry (Ire)Full leaderboardThe third rounds of golf tournaments are commonly known as ‘moving day’, and Saturday at the US PGA Championship lived up to the billing as stars and lesser lights jostled for position on a crowded and fast-moving leaderboard.Remarkably, 14 players held at least a share of the lead at some point and 30 will go into Sunday’s final round within five shots of surprise leader Alex Smalley who is two clear at six under after a two-under 68.Over the first two days at Aronimink, with the more severe aspects of the course set-up generating much discussion, it felt more like the brutal examination usually reserved for the US Open. Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one player, and Rory McIlroy were among the players who made less than complimentary comments. The former even described some of the pin positions on Friday at the Pennsylvania course as absurd. The PGA of America, the organisers of the Championship, listened. The PGA of America listened. They moved some pins and tees higher. This, combined with more benign weather conditions, produced a classic leaderboard, which includes a mix between big names and lesser-known players. Early on, several big-name players took advantage of the more favorable scoring conditions. McIlroy improved his Friday score by one, moving him up to three under. This boosts his hopes to win his third US PGA after a successful Masters defence last month. Justin Rose’s 65, which put him at two-under, revived his hopes for a second major. Jon Rahm is two shots behind the leader after a 67, to continue his quest for a career Grand Slam. Aaron Rai, Rahm, Nick Taylor, Ludvig aberg and Matti Schmid are all on four under, but not everyone was successful. Scheffler, a man who shot a 65 on Saturday to win the US PGA last year, stuttered to a 71 despite missing numerous short putts and is five adrift. He said, “It is anyone’s tournament.” Many guys have a shot. I’m going give it my best shot to be the one. Major winners make big movesWith little wind and attack-ready tee positions, some of golf’s top talents arrived in Philadelphia with a spring to their step. McIlroy, the two-time Masters champion, took advantage of the opportunity to make the later starters think. He teed off nearly four hours earlier than the final group. “I’ve climbed out of that hole,” said McIlroy. “I’m proud that I did it, but I still feel like I have a chance. There’s another day left.” “Having been outside of the top 100 after the opening round on Thursday, a McIlroy victory would mark the greatest comeback in a major championship after 18 holes. Steve Jones holds the record for the greatest major championship comeback after 18 holes. He won the 1996 US Open despite being tied 84th in the first round. Two of McIlroy’s Ryder Cup teammates also entered the fray. Rose, who won the US Open at Merion 13 years ago – only six miles away from Aronimink — has had recent heartbreak in majors. Rose lost the Masters last year in a play off to McIlroy, and led the tournament this year with nine holes left to play, before faltering at the end. Rahm is a European star who is also chasing redemption. The Spaniard, who has two majors to his name since joining LIV Golf in 2024, chased Scheffler last year at Quail hollow before he imploded over the final holes. “As difficult as it is to play golf, the challenge can be fun if you succeed,” he said. “That’s probably why the leaderboard has become so crowded and Sunday is going to be a great day,” he said. “McIlroy is playing with 2024 US PGA champion Xander Schnaffele in a group which will draw a lot of attention. A pair of Masters winners are also well-qualified to succeed. Smallley looks to emulate “Wild Thing”Image source, Getty ImagesRemarkably the man they all chase is without a single professional victory. It is the first time Smalley, who has made 141 starts on PGA Tour, has held a lead at 54 holes. The pressure cooker atmosphere of championship Sunday might be different, but the 29-year old showed his inexperience by recovering from three bogeys on his first four holes to emerge at the front. Smalley barely registered on the radar as the top players were attracting the attention of the crowds. He was two over par at the turn, and sat two under for the tournament. Birdies at 10, 15, 16 and 17 catapulted Smalley back into the spotlight. He bogeyed 17 but sank a 13-footer to birdie the last hole, opening up a two shot cushion. Smalley led a group of unheralded players, including overnight leader McNealy. McNealy shot a 71 to finish three shots behind Smalley. Smalley, who shot a 65, will be in the final group on Sunday with Germany’s Schmid. Schmid is also chasing his maiden professional win at one of golf’s most prestigious stages. Taylor also shot a 65. The Canadian has not had a top-20 finish at a major but his five PGA Tour wins, including a memorable 72-foot putt that he holed to beat Tommy Fleetwood to win the 2023 national open, suggest he will not wilt under the heat forecast. Rai is another man who has beaten Fleetwood in play-offs. The 31-year old has done this twice, in Scotland and Abu Dhabi. If there are extra holes on Sunday at Aronimink, he showed sufficient poise and precision in the third round to suggest that he can become first Englishman to win the Wanamaker Trophy since Jim Barnes did so in 1919. It’s the first time I heard about that statistic just a few moments ago. Rai replied, “I didn’t know that that was the situation,” when asked about England’s US PGA streak after his round. “Yeah. Amazing, amazing to be here. I’m doing my best to stay in there and accept whatever comes. “Related topicsGolfNorthern Ireland Sports