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Alex Smalley is turning heads at Aronimink Golf Club<\/a> so far this week, and if you haven’t heard his name yet, you will soon.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old from Rochester, New York is no stranger to Major Championship contention \u2014 and at a PGA Championship that’s playing on a difficult test like Aronimink, his game looks to be built for exactly this kind of week.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Smalley didn’t take a flashy path to the PGA TOUR. A product of Duke University’s golf program<\/a>, he turned professional in 2019 and steadily built his game from the ground up.<\/p>\n That patience-over-power mentality is exactly what separates contenders from pretenders on a demanding Major Championship setup.<\/p>\n Smalley has made three appearances in the PGA Championship:<\/p>\n Career PGA Championship Earnings: $284,820<\/p>\n His best Major finish remains a T-23 at Oak Hill in 2023, and his low round of 67 \u2014 fired in Round 1 at Quail Hollow in 2025 \u2014 shows he’s capable of going low.<\/p>\n Smalley has quietly put together one of the more consistent 2026 campaigns on the PGA TOUR heading into Aronimink. Key highlights:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n His strokes-gained data tells the full story: Smalley is a well-rounded ball-striker who can attack a course from multiple angles. His approach game and around-the-green numbers have been among his strongest attributes this season.<\/p>\n In a week where scoring has been tough to come by and the leaderboard has been historically jam-packed<\/a>, Smalley’s profile fits the moment:<\/p>\n With conditions remaining difficult and the Wanamaker Trophy still up for grabs, Alex Smalley is exactly the kind of player who could make a weekend move.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nAlex Smalley: Fast Facts<\/h3>\n
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A Duke Blue Devil Who Grinded His Way to the PGA TOUR<\/h3>\n
Alex Smalley’s PGA Championship Record<\/h3>\n
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\n Year<\/th>\n Course<\/th>\n Finish<\/th>\n Score<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2023<\/td>\n Oak Hill CC<\/td>\n T-23<\/td>\n 73-72-70-68 (+3)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2024<\/td>\n Valhalla GC<\/td>\n MC<\/td>\n 74-73 (+5)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2025<\/td>\n Quail Hollow Club<\/td>\n T-28<\/td>\n 67-71-73-72 (-1)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n His 2026 Season: Building Toward This Moment<\/h3>\n
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Why Smalley Is Dangerous at Aronimink<\/h3>\n
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Keep an Eye on the Leaderboard<\/h3>\n