An unheralded pair of long shots, Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy, have stormed to the top of the leaderboard at the 108th PGA Championship, turning the second round into a showcase of resilience and raw talent.
Alex Smalley, a 29-year-old from Rochester, New York, has yet to notch a win in 140 starts on the PGA Tour. But on Friday at Aronimink Golf Club, he played like a seasoned major champion. Circling the classic Donald Ross layout with precision, Smalley posted four birdies en route to a 1-under 69, grabbing a share of the lead with fellow long shot Maverick McNealy. The duo's unexpected rise has electrified the tournament, proving that in golf, anything can happen when the pressure is on.
Smalley couldn't help but steal glances at the leaderboards scattered across the course. "I try not to, but it's hard to sometimes because the leaderboards are right in your face," he admitted. Despite the temptation, he stayed focused, rebounding from a rough stretch of three straight bogeys on holes 1-2-3 (his back nine) with clutch birdies at the fourth and ninth holes. His second shot on the fourth, a 147-yard approach that landed just 9 feet from the pin, drew roars from the grandstands and sparked his comeback.
This isn't Smalley's first taste of major competition—he's playing in his fourth PGA Championship—but it's his brightest moment yet. His best previous finish in a major was a tie for 23rd at the 2023 PGA at Oak Hill, near his hometown. This season, his game has been trending upward, with seven top-25 finishes, including a second-place showing with teammate Hayden Springer in New Orleans and a seventh-place finish at Doral.
Still, the newfound attention is a challenge for the reserved golfer. "I don't like being in the spotlight a whole lot," Smalley confessed. "It's a different feeling when you have hundreds or thousands of eyeballs on you at once. It can be a little overwhelming." But with a 4-under 136 through two rounds, he's proving he can handle the heat.
As the weekend unfolds at Aronimink, Smalley and McNealy are rewriting the script of this major championship—showing that sometimes, the most compelling stories come from the most unexpected contenders. Whether you're a fan of the underdog or just love the drama of the game, this is a leaderboard worth watching.