Smalley sets clubhouse lead at US PGA Championship

Alex Smalley set the clubhouse lead at four under par during the second round of the US PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on Friday, May 15, 2026. His total established the early target for the morning wave as the field worked through a slow session. Chris Gotterup added to the day’s low scoring with a 65 to climb the board. A cluster of names, including Aldrich Potgieter and Maverick McNealy, also reached four under while still on the course.

The marquee group of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth delivered mixed returns. Rahm’s 25-foot birdie putt on the 8th moved him to two under for the championship, while McIlroy remained two over after an eight‑foot birdie chance slid by on the 9th. Spieth parred the 9th to stay level for the week as the trio continued to search for rhythm.

Play slowed around the turn, and when the group reached the 10th tee, drives highlighted the contrast in fortunes. Rahm’s tee shot caught the slope and ran out to 356 yards. McIlroy’s effort clipped a tree and still reached 343 yards, while Spieth found a difficult bunker to the right.

Marquee trio navigate mixed starts

Rahm edges into red numbers

Rahm’s long birdie at the 8th underlined a steady move into contention at two under. He later missed a six‑foot look at the 9th to stay there, but his length off the tee on the 10th kept chances alive. With holes remaining in his second round, the Spaniard remained well placed to challenge the lead.

McIlroy and Spieth search for momentum

McIlroy’s round featured promise without payoff, including the missed eight‑footer on the 9th that left him at two over. His tee shot on the 10th struck a tree and still chased out over 340 yards, a reminder of how firm fairways rewarded solid contact. Spieth, even for the week after a par at the 9th, battled placement off the tee when his drive at the 10th settled in a tough bunker.

Power hitting and costly errors shape the board

Potgieter’s surge stalls late

Potgieter briefly held the lead before a bogey on the 17th dropped him back to four under. Earlier, he navigated the par‑five 16th from the rough to save par and maintain position. The South African again showcased his power with a 333‑yard drive on the 15th and has credited rugby and wrestling from his youth, as well as gym work this season, for sustaining clubhead speed.

Theegala’s triple and DeChambeau’s struggles

Sahith Theegala’s momentum disappeared at the 11th. After his tee shot found sand, his second went missing and he had to take a drop, leading to a triple‑bogey seven. Bryson DeChambeau’s difficult week continued despite a chip‑in on the 10th; he reached nine over for the championship with several holes still to complete.

Elsewhere, McNealy birdied the 1st to join the group at four under during play, while Smalley’s completed round remained the number to chase for those finishing the afternoon. With pace of play affecting several groups, the leaderboard continued to swing as the second round unfolded.

The round will conclude later on Friday, when the cut is set and the final leaderboard for day two takes shape. With Smalley’s total posted and multiple challengers at four under, the afternoon wave will determine who holds the overnight lead into the weekend.