Alex Smalley: The 2026 PGA Championship Contender Whose Mom Is Always Watching Maria Smalley, Alex Smalley’s mother, moved swiftly across the fairway at Aronimink Golf Club during the third round of the 2026 PGA Championship, her pace driven by the knowledge that her son was closing in on the tournament’s lead. The 29-year-old Smalley, who sits at 4 under par, is tied for the top spot and has emerged as a top contender for his first major championship in just his fifth major start. Maria, however, is far more than just a parent to Smalley. She is his former caddie, a figure often referred to as his “momager,” and the mastermind behind his intricate statistical system. Her role extends beyond emotional support; she meticulously documents every detail of Smalley’s performance, from distance to the flag to wind direction, ensuring he has a comprehensive dataset to evaluate his play. Smalley’s round on Friday was a rollercoaster. He began with a strong front nine, carding a 33, but his group was warned about slow play as they transitioned to the back nine. This led to three bogeys, which threatened to derail his momentum. However, Smalley pressed on, navigating Aronimink’s challenging conditions—gusty winds and tricky greens—to post a 1-under 69. His performance has placed him in a tie for the lead with Maverick McNealy, marking a significant milestone in his career. The data from his round, including detailed notes on every shot, will be compiled into a post-round log for Smalley to review before Saturday’s final round. Maria’s involvement in Smalley’s career began during his senior year of high school, when a college coach introduced her to the Shots to Hole app.#maverick_mcnealy #aronimink_golf_club #pga_championship #alex_smalley #mariasmalley
Xander Schauffele Enters PGA Championship with Momentum and Experience The PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club is in its second round, with a seven-player tie for the lead setting the stage for a highly competitive battle. Among the contenders, 2024 PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele sits just behind the top group, having posted an opening-round 68. The ESPN broadcast highlighted that Schauffele’s performance could signal a return to form, as his recent history suggests he is primed for another major victory. Schauffele’s current run of success is notable, as it marks his first 68 or better in the first round of a major since his 2024 PGA Championship triumph at Valhalla. That victory, which coincided with the infamous Scottie Scheffler arrest, marked a career breakthrough for Schauffele, who had never won a major prior to that event. His subsequent performance at the 2024 Open Championship—where he shot a two-under 69 in the opening round—further underscored his ability to perform under pressure. However, his path to the top of the sport has been marred by injuries and inconsistent play in subsequent major tournaments. The 2024 PGA win at Valhalla was a turning point for Schauffele, leading to a resurgence that culminated in his victory at Royal Troon two months later. This resurgence has now brought him back to the PGA Championship, where he is seeking his third major title. On Thursday, Schauffele started strongly, recording three birdies in his first four holes. However, the challenging back nine at Aronimink tested his composure, resulting in three bogeys. Despite this, he managed two additional birdies, keeping him within striking distance of the leaders.#scottie_scheffler #xander_schauffele #aronimink_golf_club #pga_championship #martin_kaymer
Garrick Higgo Assessed 'Late to the Tee' Penalty Garrick Higgo, a South African professional golfer, was penalized two strokes during the first round of the 2026 PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, for arriving late to the tee. The penalty was imposed by the PGA of America Rule Committee, which cited Rule 5.3a of the competition’s regulations. Higgo’s delay occurred at 7:18 am, well before the scheduled starting time for the first hole, which was set at 9:00 am. According to the PGA’s Local Rules and Terms of the Competition, the starting point for the first hole is defined by specific markers on the course, including ropes, gallery stakes, green bike fencing, blue stakes, blue dots, or blue lines. Higgo was on the practice putting green at the time of his arrival but was not within the designated starting area. The committee determined that his failure to be at the starting point by the exact starting time constituted a breach of Rule 5.3a. Rule 5.3a outlines that a player’s round begins when they make a stroke to start their first hole, as specified in Rule 6.1a. The rule also mandates that players must be ready to play at their assigned starting time, which is treated as an exact moment—such as 9:00:00 am, not any time before 9:01 am. If a player arrives at the starting point and is ready to play but is more than five minutes late, they receive the general penalty for the first hole, which in this case was two strokes. The PGA of America’s ruling clarified that while arriving late to the tee is a violation, exceptions exist. For instance, if a player arrives at the starting point and is ready to play within five minutes of the scheduled time, they are only penalized with the general penalty.#pga_of_america #aronimink_golf_club #garrick_higgo #2026_pga_championship #newtown_square_pennsylvania
How the Aronimink Golf Club prepared for the PGA Championship The Aronimink Golf Club made several strategic adjustments to its course in preparation for hosting the PGA Championship, including moving the tee box for the 13th hole closer to the green. This change, along with other modifications, aims to create a more challenging and engaging experience for the world’s top golfers during the tournament. The decision to shift the tee box was made by Kerry Haigh, PGA of America’s chief championship officer, and John Gosselin, the club’s superintendent. The 13th hole, typically 385 yards from the center of the green, will now have a tee box within 300 yards, forcing players to make critical decisions on a par-4 hole. They can either attempt a long drive for the green, risking an out-of-bounds shot into the woods, or play a safer shot onto the fairway, sacrificing the chance for an eagle. Haigh emphasized that such strategic choices enhance the intrigue of the course, providing both players and spectators with a more dynamic experience. The forward tee box on the 13th hole is one of several minor tweaks the PGA has implemented to prepare Aronimink for the championship. The club closed to its members in November to make these adjustments, which included narrowing some fairways, raising the height of the rough, and repositioning tee boxes to bring more bunkers into play. These changes are designed to fine-tune the course for its first major championship since 1962, ensuring it presents a unique challenge for competitors. Additionally, the PGA has focused on setting up the necessary infrastructure to accommodate the expected 200,000 fans.#philadelphia #aronimink_golf_club #kerry_haigh #john_gosselin #pga_championship
