NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (AP) — The first PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in 64 years brought a pair of newcomers to the top of the leaderboard Friday in Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy, and left hope for just about everyone else on a course that won't let anyone get too far away.
Smalley, in only his fifth major championship, overcame three straight bogeys after making the turn and closed with a birdie for a 1-under 69. McNealy, who has never
been among the top 25 in any major through 36 holes, fell back with a pair of late bogeys in his round of 67.
They were at 4-under 136, the highest 36-hole score to lead the PGA Championship since 2012 at Kiawah Island (4-under 140).
Chasing them? Everyone from Chris Gotterup and Hideki Matsuyama, defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas, even Masters champion Rory McIlroy.
Such is Aronimink — cold and blustery in the morning and getting faster by the minute in the late afternoon — that McIlroy was outside the top 25 after a bogey-free 67 and still only five behind.
The difference between first and worst was only eight shots, unusually tight for any tournament, much less a major.
“Anyone who makes the cut, they’ve got to feel they have a shot in the tournament,” McIlroy said.
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This version corrects it was the highest score since Kiawah Island in 2012
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