Folks, Let’s Have Ourselves a Freaking Sunday

Sunday at Aronimink is set up to be an all-timer.

After some impossible pin positions for the first two rounds, the PGA of America made them a bit more accessible on Moving Day, and the best players in the world took advantage: Justin Rose, 65; Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele, 66; Jon Rahm and Patrick Reed, 67; Ludvig Aberg, 68. Now, it’s anyone’s ballgame with 18 holes to play.

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That said, all those names are staring up at a single, unknown, unproven face: Alex Smalley. The 29-year-old Duke Blue Devil, making just his fifth major championship start, entered the third round as one of the halfway leaders. After a tough start to his day and making the turn in 2-over 37, Smalley made five birdies on the back to post a 2-under 68. He’ll sleep on a two-shot advantage—although, with all these threats nipping at his heels, it’s safe to say he may not get much shuteye.

Rahm and Aberg are part of a group two back. McIlroy, Schauffele, Reed, and Chris Gotterup are three back. Justin Rose, Cameron Smith, and Min Woo Lee trail by four. Sam Burns, Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler, and most notably, Scottie Scheffler are a handful behind.

Even if he does sleep, that list right there is nightmare fuel for a player without a professional win.

But you have to give the kid credit, he could have folded when he was 3 over through four holes—he could have unraveled. Instead, he’s potentially 24 hours away from changing the trajectory of his life.

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Do I expect it to unfold that way? I wouldn’t bet on it. Not because I don’t believe in Smalley’s game—he once beat Scheffler 5 and 4 in college—or would rather see one of the game’s best build on their legacy, but because it feels like an impossible spot. There’s simply too much firepower lurking in the weeds to believe he’ll successfully hold them all off. Plus, for a player who doesn’t enjoy the sweat of the spotlight, he’s about to be the center of attention until his tee time around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Without the ability to rely on experience, it all feels too much to deal with.

What’s more likely is McIlroy getting No. 7 and half the Calendar Slam. Or Rahm pulling a “don’t forget about me.” Or Scheffler finally making a putt or two and storming to a second straight Wanamaker.

But that’s why they play the game, folks. Anything can happen tomorrow. Now, we sit back, relax, grab a beverage (or two), and enjoy one last trip around Aronimink.

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