{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/680a0159fcccdba3a5365c3e/6a0965cc68dc584edab9e4f2?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Smalley’s Moving Day Surprise - May 17th, 2026","description":"<p>On May 17th, 2026, Moving Day at the PGA Championship produced a historically jammed leaderboard, setting the stage for an epic Sunday as Alex Smalley tries to hold off a star-studded chasing pack.</p><p><br></p><h3>THE 54-HOLE LEADER</h3><ul><li>Unheralded Alex Smalley sits atop the leaderboard at six-under after a clutch birdie on 18, but the pressure is mounting as he faces down a historically jammed pack of major champions breathing down his neck.</li><li>\"I do not like being in the spotlight a whole lot so I am still trying to get used to playing in front of large groups of people.\" — Alex Smalley</li><li>To help manage her own nerves on the course, Smalley's mother, Maria, is keeping herself busy by tracking his stats.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>THE CHASING PACK</h3><ul><li>Jon Rahm and Aaron Rai sit at four-under, chasing Spanish history and an English drought, while Rory McIlroy lurks at three-under after fixing his driver to unleash a massive 369-yard bomb on the sixth hole.</li><li>\"I am doing this for myself and my country,\" said Rahm, while Rory noted of his monster drive, \"I was not trying to hit it on the green I was just trying to get it up there it was a perfect line.\"</li><li>To relax amidst his pursuit of Harry Vardon's 1914 record, McIlroy spent his evening unwinding by watching *The Dark Knight*.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>COURSE SETUP &amp; THE PURSE ARMS RACE</h3><ul><li>The PGA of America softened Aronimink's setup, moving pins to flat spots and shortening the 13th hole to 292 yards, all while defending a massive purse increase designed to directly compete with LIV Golf.</li><li>Defending the $20.5M purse ($3.69M to win) against 1962's $69.4K total, PGA of America CEO Terry Clark stated: \"it is what are the factors that make sense we do look at it as an annual focus around how do we get at competitive purses.\"</li><li>Justin Rose capitalized on the softer setup to shoot a 65, crediting a switch to McLaren irons and some \"Philly mojo\" from a dinner at Merion Golf Club.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Quick Hits</h3><p>Xander Schauffele (-3) is managing major \"growing pains\" by ignoring the leaderboard (\"No need to even look... just knowing that there is going to be guys everywhere doing crazy things\") • Ludvig Aberg (-4) is stunned by the traffic, noting, \"I have never seen anything like it...\" • World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler struggled to a 71, ending with a poor chip on 18 despite sporting a custom Philly-themed TaylorMade bag.</p>","author_name":"Golf.ai"}