The stage is set for a thrilling Saturday at the 2026 PGA Championship, as Aronimink Golf Club braces for a wide-open third round. With 58 players sitting within just six strokes of the lead after 36 holes, the weekend promises drama and opportunity in equal measure.
History is on everyone's side: every one of the last 36 Wanamaker Trophy winners was within that same six-shot margin at the halfway mark. That means the chase pack is very much alive.
Atop the leaderboard, Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley share the lead at four-under 136, holding a one-stroke advantage over a formidable group that includes Hideki Matsuyama, Min Woo Lee, Chris Gotterup, Aldrich Potgieter, Stephen Jaeger, and Max Greyserman. Notably, Matsuyama is the only major champion among that bunch, adding an intriguing layer of experience vs. hunger as the pressure mounts.
But the real juice comes from just two strokes back. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler and two-time PGA winner Justin Thomas are lurking at two-under par, ready to pounce on any leader who falters. Their presence alone raises the stakes for everyone ahead of them.
The cut line fell at four-over 144, trimming the field to those who survived a demanding Aronimink test. As Saturday's third-round tee times are released, here's a look at the full list of players and their starting positions:
Starting at +4:
Alex Noren, Jhonattan Vegas, Michael Brennan, Nicolai Hojgaard, John Keefer, Taylor Pendrith, William Mouw, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Brian Campbell, Shane Lowry, Daniel Berger, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Elvis Smylie, Luke Donald, John Parry
Starting at +3:
Padraig Harrington, Kristoffer Reitan, Chris Kirk, Daniel Brown, Brian Harman, Justin Rose, Sami Valimaki, Rasmus Hojgaard
Starting at +2:
Kazuki Higa, Sam Burns, Keith Mitchell, Joaquin Niemann, Tom Hoge, Denny McCarthy, Alex Fitzpatrick, Chandler Blanchet, Sam Stevens, Matt Fitzpatrick, Martin Kaymer, Matt Wallace, Casey
With so much talent in striking distance, Saturday's third round at Aronimink is shaping up to be a classic. Whether you're rooting for a first-time major winner or a proven champion, this weekend has all the ingredients for unforgettable golf.