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
Canada's Conners in the mix after opening round of The Players Championship Corey Conners of Canada found himself in contention after a solid opening round at The Players Championship on Thursday, finishing tied for 10th at three under par. The tournament, held at TPC Sawgrass, saw five golfers share the early lead after shooting five under par, with Conners’ performance reflecting his consistent form throughout the season. Conners, known for his strong ball-striking, carded a 3-under 69 in the first round. The course, which he described as one of his favorites on the PGA Tour, presented challenges, particularly with the greens. Despite a bogey on the island-green par-3 17th hole, Conners managed to birdie his opening hole, the par-4 10th, and added birdies on holes 1, 2, and 7. His round was a microcosm of his season, with his iron play excelling but his putting struggling. The first round was delayed for 21 minutes due to a passing storm that made the course unplayable, affecting several players. Conners’ tee time was delayed by 30 minutes, but he remained focused, finishing the day with a score that left him two strokes behind the early leaders. The co-leaders, including Austin Smotherman, were still completing their rounds when the session was suspended. Maverick McNealy, Lee Hodges, Sepp Straka, and Sahith Theegala all shot 5-under 67s, setting the tone for a competitive leaderboard. Conners’ performance highlighted his strengths and weaknesses: he finished third in strokes gained on tee-to-green and sixth in approach shots, but his putting was a concern. He missed seven putts of less than 15 feet, including two within eight feet, which could have moved him closer to the lead if converted.#tpc_sawgrass #the_players_championship #corey_conners #austin_smotherman #maverick_mcnealy
