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Elliott Heath

Alex Smalley Leads PGA Championship, Big Names Within Touching Distance Ahead Of Epic Sunday

Alex Smalley Rory McIlroy Justin Rose PGA Championship Chris Kirk Maverick McNealy Championship (Event) Jon Rahm Brian Harman Michael Kim
(Image credit: Getty Images)

With one round to play of the PGA Championship there is finally a solo leader with Alex Smalley breaking out the pack to take a two-shot lead at Aronimink.

The American, who co-led with Maverick McNealy overnight and was in the final group, took advantage of several high-profile contenders having completed their rounds to get his nose in front.

It certainly didn’t seem a likely outcome following the first four holes of Smalley’s round, where he made three bogeys to drop back to one under.

For a player who has yet to win a professional event, many would be forgiven for thinking that marked the beginning of the end of his challenge.

However, the 29-year-old had other ideas, responding with seven birdies and just two more bogeys for a 68 to lead the likes of Jon Rahm and Ludvig Aberg in a five-way tie for second.

Jon Rahm remains in contention (Image credit: Getty Images)

Afterwards, Smalley admitted it would be a dream come true to win the event. He said: "I obviously dreamed of this as a kid, and it's funny, it's the Wanamaker trophy, and when I was in college, I stayed in the Wanamaker dorm for three years.

"So my parents and I have been joking that maybe this would be a tournament that I would win just because of that kind of fact. That's just kind of something that we've joked about even before I made it out here. It would be pretty cool to actually pull it out tomorrow."

There would have been a six-way tie for the lead had McNealy not bogeyed the 18th to leave him three back of Smalley on three under.

McNealy is in good company on that score, with Major winners Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Patrick Reed all in a tie for 3rd.

Right behind them are big names including Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Smith and Hideki Matsuyama.

Meanwhile, defending champion Scottie Scheffler remains in the hunt, five back of Smalley on one under, adding to the prospect of an unforgettable Sunday on what was already a captivating tournament.

Before Smalley’s charge, it was anyone’s guess who would grasp the opportunity to put daylight between themselves and the rest.

At one stage, McIlroy made use of the kinder conditions early in the day to co-lead, before players including Rahm, Aaron Rai, Chris Gotterup, Nick Taylor and Matti Schmid also spent time in a share of the lead.

Masters champion McIlroy admitted afterwards that he didn’t quite reach the target he’d set himself on Saturday, but he still believes he has a chance to win.

Rory McIlroy thinks he still has a chance to win (Image credit: Getty Images)

He said: “Yeah, honestly, I felt like if I went out and - I had a chance to do this.

“If I had to play the last three holes at 1-under instead of 1-over, I would have got to 5. And I sort of thought if I could go out today and get to that, it would make the leaders shoot under par to either be with me or ahead of me.

“So I didn't get there. I made, I guess, a couple of mistakes the last three holes. I feel like I still did enough to think I have a chance going into tomorrow.”

In truth, despite Smalley’s lead, it is conceivable that at least 30 players will still believe they have a realistic chance of claiming the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday evening, with the probable outcome not much more clear-cut than it was 24 hours earlier.

Smalley will be hoping that his lead of two makes the difference as a brilliant tournament draws to a close.

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HELLO AND WELCOME

Welcome to our round three coverage of the 2026 PGA Championship. It's set to be a thrilling day at Aronimink.

WHAT HAVE YOU MISSED SO FAR?

It has been a thrilling morning at Aronimink, with multiple players making big moves.

The best round on the course so far is five-under-par, with Justin Rose and Chris Kirk both going low through 10 and 11 holes respectively.

Nicolai Hojgaard is four-under coming down the 18th, while Padraig Harrington and Taylor Pendrith are both three-under for their rounds.

Rory McIlroy birdied the 1st and is currently playing the 4th hole.

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP RECORD PRIZE MONEY

A record prize money total was unveiled earlier, with the total fund going from $19m to $20.5m.

The champion is set to earn $3.69m, up from the $3.42m Scottie Scheffler won last year.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

BIG PAR SAVE AT 11 FOR ROSE

The Englishman holes from around 8ft at the tricky par 3 to remain five-under-par for the round.

He has jumped to two-under for the tournament and, incredibly, is now just two off the lead.

SCORING IS DEFINITELY LOWER TODAY

Great stat from Justin Ray:

NICOLAI HOJGAARD EAGLE

The Dane eagles the 16th to move to four-under for the day and back to level for the tournament.

He parred 17 and is on the green in regulation, albeit 60ft away, on the 18th.

BAD MISS FOR MCILROY

The World No.2 lips out a short par save on the 4th to fall back to level for the day and +1 for the tournament.

JUSTIN ROSE 5-UNDER FOR THE DAY

Insert McLaren F1 meme...

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Welcome to all those around the world joining us today.

If you have any questions you'd like answered or your view featured in the live blog, please head down to the comments section at the bottom of the page!

WEATHER FORECAST

Temperatures will be pushing 80F this afternoon but just look at those wind gusts...

(Image credit: PGA of America)

MICHAEL KIM EAGLES 13

The popular American has just driven the green on 13 and poured in the eagle putt to get back to five-under for the day.

MCILROY BIRDIE

Rory McIlroy bounces back from the dropped shot on 4 to birdie the 5th courtesy of a lovely downhill 15-footer. He is back to level-par and within four of the lead.

We know he's a generational talent but I still feel his short game and putting is underrated.

RORY MCILROY - WOW

Rory McIlroy has just unleashed a monster of a drive up the 397 yard 6th hole...and he has found the green. Incredible.

The group ahead are still putting out as McIlroy's ball trickles onto the front edge.

BRILLIANT ROUND FROM NICOLAI HOJGAARD

The in-form Dane cards the second-lowest round of the week and jumps up to level-par for the 2026 PGA Championship.

REITAN EAGLE

The Truist Championship winner hits the pin on the drivable par 4 13th and then calmly rolls in a 10-footer for eagle.

He's just gone birdie-birdie-eagle and is up to one-under-par for the tournament.

MCILROY ON 6

His drive went 369 yards, uphill, with 190mph ball speed to find the green while Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson were still putting out.

It's a very long eagle putt but he rolls it up to within 5ft. Big birdie putt upcoming.

CHRIS KIRK THE LOWEST MAN ON THE COURSE

The American drives it through the green on 13 and gets up-and-down for a birdie. It takes him to six-under for the day and up to -3, just one off the lead.

BIRDIE FOR MCILROY

The back-to-back Masters champion makes back-to-back birdies after driving the par 4 6th.

He made that look very easy, as he moves to one-under-par.

ROSE BIRDIE!

Justin Rose gets up-and-down from the greenside bunker on the short par 4 13th and he moves to six-under-par for the day.

The Englishman, who has a win and a runner-up at Aronimink, is now just one off the lead.

MCILROY'S INCREDIBLE DRIVE ON 6...

This was him driving the par 4 6th green just now:

MORNING STARTERS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE

Great take from Shane Bacon, who points to the 2018 US Open at Shinnecock Hills. That was when Tony Finau and Daniel Berger went out early and found themselves in the final group on Sunday.

With winds set to gust up to 28mph later, these morning starters going low, like Rose and Kirk, could be making big moves.

ROSE FALLS BACK

The Englishman bogeys the par 3 14th after finding the greenside bunker. He drops back to two-under and is now 'only' five-under for the day.

BRIAN HARMAN MAKING MOVES

The 2023 Open champion eagled the 9th and has just birdied 12 and 13 to move to -4 for the day and -1 for the tournament.

BEST ROUNDS OF THE DAY SO FAR

Aronimink is definitely playing easier today, but it is still catching players out. Here are the best scores of the day so far:

  • Chris Kirk -6 (15)
  • Justin Rose -5 (14)
  • Brian Harman -4 (14)
  • Nicolai Hojgaard -4 (66)
  • Xander Schauffele -3 (7)
  • Michael Kim -3 (16)
  • Kristoffer Reitain -3 (15)
  • Padraig Harrington -3 (15)
  • Taylor Pendrith -3 (67)

BIG PUTT FROM BROOKS KOEPKA

Koepka (+1) has lamented his putting this week and he has missed everything so far today - but he has just holed a crucial 10-footer down the hill on the par 3 8th for his eighth consecutive par.

He has some much-needed momentum heading into the par 5 9th.

Rory McIlroy (-1) also pars the 8th courtesy of a lovely up-and-down. Big birdie chance coming up.

APPROACHING THE FINAL GROUPS

Two hours remain until Smalley and McNealy head off. Conditions could well be tougher for them this afternoon, and they will likely no longer be leading once they tee off.

This really is a fascinating PGA Championship.

  • 12.50pm: Jon Rahm, Andrew Putnam
  • 1pm: Jason Day, Patrick Cantlay
  • 1.10pm: Kurt Kitayama, Aaron Rai
  • 1.20pm: Ludvig Aberg, Andrew Novak
  • 1.30pm: Harris English, Si Woo Kim
  • 1.40pm: Scottie Scheffler, David Puig
  • 2pm: Cameron Young, Justin Thomas
  • 2.10pm: Min Woo Lee, Max Greyserman
  • 2.20pm: Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger
  • 2.30pm: Hideki Matsuyama, Chris Gotterup
  • 2.40pm: Alex Smalley, Maverick McNealy

MONSTER DRIVE FROM KOEPKA UP 9

The five-time Major champion bombs one right down the middle of the par 5 after that momentum putt on 8.

Rory McIlroy pulls it well left and we'll have to see what kind of lie he gets.

Elsewhere, Kristoffer Reitan has just made another eagle at the 16th and the Norwegian is now five-under for the day and two-under for the tournament!

GORGEOUS FROM RORY MCILROY

McIlroy has hit a stunning pitch shot from just short of the 9th green to leave himself a kick-in birdie.

That will get him out in three-under and up to two-under for the tournament.

What will the leading score be by the end of the day? I have no clue.

KOEPKA EAGLE!

After that huge par save on 8, Brooks Koepka chips in for eagle on the 9th hole to move to one-under-par.

Massive.

Rory McIlroy tidies up for birdie to go out in -3. Perfect start for the World No.2.

HOWELL FEARS FOR FINAL GROUP

"I fear they might struggle," David Howell says on Sky Sports about Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy in the final group, saying he is worried they may get "gobbled up" by the field.

I agree. They have never been in this position in a Major and will likely be out of the lead by the time they start - and winds are set to increase as the afternoon goes on.

With the leaderboard so bunched, it could take the pressure off, though.

HOW KRISTOFFER REITAN SET UP HIS SECOND EAGLE OF THE BACK NINE:

JORDAN SPIETH HAS GONE BACKWARDS

Spieth began the day at one-over and he has dropped to +2 after a front nine of 36 (+1).

A disappointing start for the three-time Major winner, who I will say won't complete the career grand slam this week.

He has dropped 22 spots on the leaderboard and has 51 players ahead of him, with just 27 holes remaining.

CHRIS KIRK TO SEVEN-UNDER!

Chris Kirk joins the lead with his eighth birdie of the day on the par 3 17th!

He began the morning at three-over-par and he has climbed his way up 58 spots on the leaderboard to -4.

A par on the last for a 63, what a round.

BRILLIANT START FOR RORY MCILROY

JON RAHM BIRDIES THE 1ST

A great start for the LIV star, who pours in a massive putt on the 1st to jump straight up to two-under.

BROOKS KOEPKA BOGEY

Koepka had to lay-up on the par 4 10th after a poor drive, and he is unable to convert from 15ft to drop his first shot of the day.

Back to level-par. Not what he wanted after eagle at 9.

THIS LEADERBOARD

We have:

- 34 players within three of the lead

- 46 players within four of the lead

- 51 players within five of the lead

Incredible.

WHAT A ROUND FROM PADRAIG HARRINGTON

The 2008 PGA Champion at Oakland Hills, now 54, has parred the last to shoot a three-under-par 67.

He is currently in T35th after moving 24 spots up the leaderboard today.

What a man.

SAM BURNS ON THE MOVE

The US Ryder Cup star has just birdied 13, 14 and 15 to move to two-under-par for the tournament.

He's up to T10th.

BIRDIE FOR MCILROY

McIlroy rolls in a 10-footer down the hill on 11 o mvoe to four-under for the day and he is now just one back of the lead.

OH DEAR CHRIS KIRK

The Georgian, who has six PGA Tour victories, comes up short on 18 and four-putts from just off the front edge for a closing double bogey.

Still, it's a 65 and the lowest round of the week so far. He is two-under-par after 54-holes.

Kirk has one top-10 in a Major from 30 starts, a T5 at the 2022 PGA Championship, and he could well be bettering that tomorrow if he can get over a disaster finish.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

ROSE MATCHES KIRK'S 65

Justin Rose pars the 18th for a phenomenal five-under-par 65 to reach two-under for the championship after three rounds.

The Englishman has climbed 49 spots and is now inside the top-10. He will be hoping for the wind to get up this afternoon, as he is only two off the lead. Very impressive from the 45-year-old.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

RORY MCILROY HAS A FANTASTIC CHANCE HERE

McIlroy, now just one off the lead, has 35ft for birdie on the par 4 12th.

He has the drivable par 4 13th next then the par 5 16th coming up too, so he could potentially finish the day at five- or six-under-par.

If he can get to six-under, that would be a round of 63 (-7). Let's see if he can close this out.

SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER UNDERWAY

The defending champion and World No.1, currently at two-under-par after rounds of 67 and 71, gets his third round underway. He splits the fairway with a perfect drive down the 1st.

David Puig, playing with Scheffler for the first time I'd guess, bombs one down the fairway.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

MCILROY ON THE DRIVABLE 13TH...

With a 3-wood in hand, McIlroy pulls it left into the greenside bunker.

"Not a bad leave, it's alright there. Heaps of green to work with, and the way he plays bunker shots, not an issue," Wayne Riley confidently says on the Sky broadcast.

SAM BURNS CONTINUES HIS CHARGE

The five-time PGA Tour winner, who held the 54-hole lead at the US Open last year, has just made a fourth consecutive birdie at the 16th and joins the group at three-under.

Burns, who was T7th at Oakmont - after THAT ruling on Sunday - was also T7th at Augusta last month.

He could well be hoisting the Wanamaker tomorrow evening.

Update: He bogeyed the par 3 17th

JOAQUIN NIEMANN ON THE MOVE

The LIV Golf star has made four birdies and an eagle in his last eight holes to vault up to T3rd and join the likes of Burns and McIlroy at three-under. He hit a beautiful iron shot in close at the 16th and tapped in for the eagle.

He is five-under for the day now and right in the mix.

The Chilean famously has an underwhelming Major record, with just one top-10 - coming at the 2025 PGA - from 26 starts.

ROSE'S SCORECARD

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HAOTONG LI FROM 78 FEET!

The Chinese star is currently -1 for the tournament and day after five holes of round three.

BIG MISS FROM SCOTTIE AT THE 1ST

Scheffler hit a Scheffler-like wedge in tight to around 6ft but his birdie putt slides right and he's left to settle for a par.

MCILROY BIRDIES TO CLIMB TO THE TOP

Brilliant from McIlroy, who gets it up-and-down from the sand on 13 to make yet another birdie.

He joins the lead.

DUSTIN JOHNSON UPDATE

DJ has been accused by many fans and commentators of not caring about the game too much anymore, but he is going along nicely today.

The two-time Major champion and former World No.1 has birdied 9, 11 and 13 to jump up to one-under-par for the tournament.

He's currently T26th and just three back of the lead.

RAHM BIRDIE

The Spaniard rolls in another long birdie putt at the par 3 5th and he is within one of the lead, moving to two-under for his round.

LOVELY TEE SHOT FROM MCILROY ON 14

At the tough par 4, McIlroy flights an iron shot nicely over the pin to leave around 20ft down the hill for yet another birdie.

OVER TO JAKOB BARNES FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF HOURS...

RORY AT THE TOP

What a comeback this is from Rory McIlroy. He makes birdie on 13 and is now tied for the lead at four-under.

RAHMBO IS COMING

Jon Rahm is just one stroke off the lead after a birdie on the fifth:

GREAT START FOR GREYSERMAN

One hole down and one birdie on the scorecard for Max Greyserman, who now joins Rory McIlroy, Maverick McNealy, and Alex Smalley in a tie for the top spot.

COULD LUDVIG MAKE A CHARGE?

Ludvig Aberg makes birdie on 4 to move back to two-under after a bogey on the second.

He's not far off the top in this tight leaderboard. Could the Swedish star be one to watch on Moving Day?

SAND IS NO PROBLEM FOR SI WOO

Si Woo Kim found himself in the bunker on the 5th but he escapes with a delightful shot straight into the hole to secure a birdie:

SMALLEY TAKES A TUMBLE

Alex Smalley was tied at the top at the start of round 3 but he's made bogey on the first after a shaky tee shot.

He will need to settle those nerves if he wants to stay in the mix on Moving Day.

MCILROY DROPS A SHOT

Not what Rory would have wanted as he nears the clubhouse. A poor shot out of the bunker leaves him with work to do, and he could only putt for bogey on 17.

He's on three-under and drops to T4 with one hole to play today.

DREAM FRONT NINE FOR RAHM

Jon Rahm completes the front nine with no bogeys, three birdies, and he's now tied at the top at -4 for the week.

This is more like the Rahm we know!

RORY DONE FOR THE DAY

McIlroy shoots -4 on day three and, aside from that disappointing bogey on the 17th, he can be happy with his work on Moving Day.

One stroke back with one round to play. That seventh Major could be his tomorrow.

JUSTIN ROSE HAD FUN TODAY

Speaking to the media after shooting a brilliant five-under on day three, Justin Rose said Aronimink played "beautifully" and offered up "birdie opportunities" while still being a challenge.

Here's what he had to say:

TEN TIED FOR THIRD

We currently have a whopping 10 players on three-under and T3. Incredibly tight leaderboard.

Potgieter, Jaeger, Aberg, Schauffele, McIlroy, Matsuyama, Taylor, Gotterup, Thomas, Schmid all in the mix...

WHAT A DAY FOR RORY

Rory McIlroy soared up the leaderboard on day three, and it's safe to say his driver was a big factor in that surge.

Check out the distances on his 13 drives from the tee:

317 yards
323 yards
346 yards
329 yards
369 yards
364 yards
362 yards
347 yards
327 yards
321 yards
336 yards
344 yards
346 yards

JT ON TOP

Justin Thomas plays hole six perfectly to grab a birdie and join Rahm and McNealy at the top of the leaderboard:

LUDVIG ABERG SURGE!

Another birdie for Ludvig Aberg on nine and he now has a share of the lead on four-under. This leaderboard is changing every five minutes and it's glorious.

SIX LEADERS

Stephan Jaeger, Ludvig Aberg, Maverick McNealy, Nick Taylor, Aaron Rai and Matthias Schmid ALL now have a share of the lead at four-under.

NOVAK WITH AN EAGLE

He's nowhere near the lead, but Andrew Novak just made a terrific eagle on the ninth.

That almost makes up for the three bogeys he made earlier in the round and he's back up to T38.

MCILROY STILL FRUSTRATED BY ARONIMINK

He may have jumped up the leaderboard after an impressive day, but Rory McIlroy still thinks the pin positions at Aronimink have been a problem.

Although, he does admit it makes for a great tournament to watch.

AARON RAI TAKES THE LEAD

Rai is enjoying a fine Saturday and, following a birdie at the 10th, he birdies the 11th to take the outright lead at five-under-par!

EXCELLENT ABERG

Playing the par 4 11th, Aberg fires his approach close and will have a great look to join Rai at the top of the leaderboard.

GREAT ROUND FROM MATTI

(Image credit: Getty Images)

A three-under back nine has helped Matti Schmid to a five-under 65 in Philadelphia, with the German four-under for the championship.

Excellent work from the 28-year-old, whose best result at a Major is just T59th.

BIG MISSES FROM RAHM AND ABERG

Aberg is unable to convert his six-footer for birdie at the 11th, as he remains four-under and one back of Rai.

Rahm, meanwhile, is unable to birdie the short par 4 13th, missing a makeable birdie putt. He remains three-under and two back.

BIG MOVES FROM RORY

HOW RAI TOOK THE LEAD

BIG MOVE FROM NICK TAYLOR

Taylor narrowly misses his birdie putt at the 18th hole, but that's an excellent five-under 65 for the Canadian.

He sits four-under for the championship and will be firmly in contention going into Sunday.

RAHM MOVES TO FOUR-UNDER

An excellent tee shot at the par 3 14th leads to an equally excellent birdie putt for Rahm.

Thanks to the gain, he is now four-under, one back of Rai, who has just parred the par 4 12th via a seven-foot putt.

RAI GREENSIDE AT THE 13TH

The 13th is driveable today and, with a 3-wood in-hand, Rai almost drives the par 4, but receives a bit of bad luck as his tee shot finds the bunker.

He's left with a long shot from the sand but, if he gets up-and-down, he'll extend his lead to two strokes.

SCHMID REACTS AFTER 65

"Really good. I drove it very good, the best off the tee this week and also the best on the greens for me this week.

"Iron play was okay, I would say. I've hit my irons nice the last couple of days as well. But, yeah, trending in the right direction."

CLUMSY FROM ABERG

(Image credit: Getty Images)

He just missed a short putt at the par 4 11th to share the lead and, at the par 4 12th, Aberg three putts from 16-feet to fall back to three-under.

That's sloppy from the Swede.

PAR FOR RAI

It's a good bunker shot from Rai at the 13th, but he is unable to convert his birdie chance, with the Englishman remaining five-under and one ahead of a number of names.

HIT IT RAHMBO

Rahm produces two excellent blows at the par 4 15th, but leaves his birdie putt in the jaws of the hole. He remains four-under for the championship and three-under for the round.

RORY'S ENTERTAINMENT SORTED THIS EVENING

DROPPED SHOT FOR MAVERICK

McNealy plays an average approach to the par 3 eighth and, from over 100-foot, he almost makes a stunning two-putt.

Lagging his first attempt to 10-foot, his par putt misses high and he moves back to three-under.

SOLID FROM RAI

He runs his birdie attempt well by the hole on the par 3 14th, but Rai rams his par putt coming back beautifully.

He remains in the lead at five-under.

GREAT GOTTERUP

He's firing well during this third round and, at the par 5 ninth, Gotterup puts his approach to six-foot and will have a good look at birdie to join Rai at the top of the leaderboard.

NEW CO-LEADERS

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Rahm birdies the par 5 16th, while Gotterup birdies the par 5 ninth, with both joining Rai at five-under.

Speaking of Rai, he finds the rough with his tee shot at the 15th and is forced to hack it down the fairway.

SPLENDID FROM RAI

After finding the rough and hacking down the fairway, Rai plays a gorgeous third shot at the par 4 15th that spins back to a foot.

He's in control of his game and will save par to remain in a share of the lead with Rahm and Gotterup.

UNDER THE RADAR

(Image credit: Getty Images)

He's not been shown much on the broadcast, but Reed has put together a good day in Philadelphia.

Starting the day level-par, the Major winner has made five birdies and two pars for a great round of three-under.

He is currently two shots back of the leaders.

RAHM ON THE CHARGE

GOTTERUP BOGEYS

A poor tee shot leads to a bogey for Gotterup at the par 4 10th, with the American now four-under.

RAHM THREE PUTTS THE LAST

(Image credit: Getty Images)

It looked like a safe par for Rahm at the last, but he three putts for a sloppy bogey.

The Spaniard taps in for a three-under 67 and is four-under for the championship.

Despite the bogey at the last, he's in a good position to contend tomorrow and, if he were to win, he'd be one step closer to the Career Grand Slam.

BIG MISTAKE FROM GOTTERUP

Playing the par 4 11th, Gotterup is in prime position to go at the flag after finding the fairway.

A wedge in hand, the American fires his ball long of the green and leaves his next shot in position Z. He'll have a tough task to make par from there.

260 YARDS INTO A PAR 4

(Image credit: Getty Images)

You don't see that very often!

Playing the par 4 15th, Scheffler pounds his tee shot down the middle, but leaves himself 260 yards into the hole at the 551 yard behemoth.

In typical Scheffler-fashion, he carves his 3-wood to the middle of the green, leaving a decent chance at birdie.

NEAR MISS FROM ABERG

How did that miss?

Aberg's eagle putt at the 16th looks in all the way but, somehow, it misses left and it's a birdie for the Swede.

He taps in for a four, meaning he is four-under and one back of Rai.

FORE LEFT

It's been a very controlled round for Rai but, at the 18th, he pulls his drive left and finds the thick rough.

He'll do well to make par from there...

ROUGH TROUBLE

Scheffler pars the 15th and, with his tee shot at the par 5 16th, it goes right and sits down in the thick rough.

Rai, meanwhile, opts for a fairway wood out of the rough at the 18th and finds the bunker short of the green. It'll be another tough up-and-down coming up for the Englishman.

A MESS AT THE 18TH

From 55 yards, Rai comes up short with his third, meaning he needs to get up-and-down to save bogey at the last.

RAI CLOSES WITH A BOGEY

(Image credit: Getty Images)

All things considered, that's a good bogey for Rai, who fires a three-under 67 and sits four-under going into the final round.

Only one Englishman has ever won the PGA Championship, with Rai looking to become the second.

STATE OF PLAY

We're into the last couple of hours or so of the third round and, incredibly 29 players are within three of the lead!

At the top, Aaron Rai, Matti Schmid, Nick Taylor, Jon Rahm and Ludvig Aberg are -4, but frankly, it's anyone's guess which way this will go.

ABERG IN THE CLUBHOUSE WITH A 68

One of the co-leaders, Ludvig Aberg, finishes with a 68 to remain on -4. He's still looking for his maiden Major title, but he has as good a chance as anyone with 18 holes to play.

CAN ANYONE MAKE A CHARGE?

Ludvig Aberg's 68 means all five (current) co-leaders have now finished for the day, so it's all eyes on those beneath them and still out on the course.

We still have the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Max Greyserman, Chris Gotterup and halfway leaders Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy pushing to join those at the top.

At the 17th, a birdie putt from Scheffler tickles the edge of the cup before stubbornly rolling past.

SEVEN-WAY TIE FOR THE LEAD!

On the 13th, Alex Smalley has a chance to move into the co-lead. He chips onto the green to leave a very makeable birdie putt.

Before he gets his chance, Maverick McNealy also has a birdie look - which he takes! That's his first of the day and McNealy moves into a six-way tie for the lead.

Seconds later, Smalley makes his birdie putt and suddenly, seven share the lead!

(Image credit: Getty Images)

TROUBLE FOR SCHEFFLER

At -2, Scottie Scheffler is two back of the (many) leaders, but he hasn't done himself any favors at the 18th. His third rolls back off the green and he'll do well to make par.

SCHEFFLER ESCAPES WITH A BOGEY AT 18

Scheffler's putt onto the 18th green comes up too short for his liking, and, all of a sudden, he's fighting to avoid a double bogey.

He makes the bogey and finishes on -1, three back of the lead.

A CHANCE TO CAPITALIZE

With the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Ludvig Aberg back in the clubhouse, there's a real chance for some still out on the coures to grasp the nettle here.

Chris Gotterup is just one back on the 16th, while Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley are co-leaders on the 15th. A birdie or two now and suddenly, someone could have some precious daylight with a round to play.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A HOLE MAKES...

On the 15th, two of the co-leaders face pivotal moment. Alex Smalley has a birdie chance, while he holes to take the solo lead at -5. For Maverick McNealy though, it's a long putt just to save par. He doesn't make it and drops back to -3.

MATSUYAMA MAGIC

Further down the leaderboard, Cameron Young finishes with a bogey to drop back to even-par. You can't rule him out tomorrow, but that's not how he wanted to end his day.

Soon after, on the 16th, Hideki Matsuyama makes a brilliant eagle to move to -3, two back of the lead. He's three under in his last three holes and making a charge!

SMALLEY HANDLING PRESSURE

So, how will Alex Smalley handle being the outright leader of the PGA Championship as it heads towards the end of the third round?

Not bad at all, currently. His second at the par-6 16th finds the green to leave a long eagle chance...

TWO-SHOT LEAD FOR SMALLEY

Smalley's eagle attempt runs out of steam with a couple of feet to go, but that leaves a great birdie chance for a lead of two...

He takes it and Smalley moves to -6!

BOGEY FOR LEADER ON 17

On the par-3 17th, leader Alex Smalley tries to make an up-and-down from a bunker. Part one of that challenge leaves him with about 10 feet to go....

Can Smalley walk off 17 with a par to maintain a two-shot advantage with one to play?

Not quite! It rolls just past and that's a bogey.

GOTTERUP FINISHES WITH PAR

It hasn't been the best back nine for Chris Gotterup, going three over. He has a birdie chance at 18, but that fails to go in and he wraps up on -2. Still be no means out of it heading to the final round.

NICE FROM SMALLEY

Alex Smalley's second at 18 leaves him with a birdie chance, and, barring disaster, at the very least a par to take a lead into the final round.

Playing partner Maverick McNealy, one back of Smalley, is next, but he finds a bunker. He'll surely be happy if he can get a par now.

SMALLEY BIRDIES 18TH!

It's a disappointing end to the day for Maverick McNealy, whose sizeable putt for par goes left to leave him with a bogey. He slips back to -3, two behind Alex Smalley.

He has a chance to take a lead of two into the final round. He does it in style from a reasonable distance and he is on -6, two clear of six.

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