PGA Championship Leaderboard 2026 Review of Top Scorecards and Player Stats on Day 2

Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy are the unlikely 36-hole leaders of the 2026 PGA Championship.

The pair of American golfers produced back-to-back rounds in the 60s at Aronimink Golf Club to move clear of Scottie Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas and many other notable names in the chasing pack.

Twenty-two players enter the weekend with under-par scores. Another 22 sit at either even-par or one-over for the tournament.

As Rory McIlroy and others displayed on Friday, there are low rounds out there on the course despite some tough conditions and hard pin placements.

As always, there are some notable names who won't be around for the weekend. Bryson DeChambeau headlines that list after two rough days.

Maverick McNealy, Alex Smalley Use Under-Par Rounds to Land in Tie for Lead

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Maverick McNealy and Alex Smalley each shot under-par rounds to move into their two-way tie for the lead at four-under.

McNealy had the better round of the two leaders with a three-under 67. He used an eagle on the par-five 16th move into his tie with Smalley.

Prior to that, McNealy totaled four birdies and three bogeys in an up-and-down round. The eagle provided some momentum that McNealy can carry into the weekend.

Smalley recovered from a brutal start of three straight bogeys to shoot 69. He produced four birdies and 11 pars on his final 15 holes to move back to the top of the leaderboard.

McNealy and Smalley were two of three players to record two rounds in the 60s to start the tournament. Max Greyserman was the other.

Neither player has a tremendous history at major tournaments, so it will be fascinating to watch how they both deal with the pressure of being 36-hole leaders on Saturday.

Chris Gotterup Turns In Round of the Day

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Chris Gotterup turned in the best score of Friday's second round as well as the entire tournament.

Gotterup produced a five-under 65 to surge up to three-under for the tournament.

Gotterup rolled in six birdies on Friday, all of which occurred after he bogeyed the second hole.

The 26-year-old caught fire around the turn, as he rolled in birdies at the seventh, eighth, ninth and 11th holes.

Gotterup is only playing in the sixth major of his career, but he already owns a trio of top-25 finishes.

Friday's low round allowed for Gotterup to be in contention for his first major victory. He's part of a six-man group at three-under who will put pressure on Smalley and McNealy right away on Saturday.

Bryson DeChambeau Fails to Improve, Misses Cut

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Bryson DeChamnbeau's miserable run of major-tournament form continued this week.

DeChambeau finished at eight-over through two rounds to miss his second straight cut at a major and third in four majors.

He put himself in a tough spot on Thursday with a 76. He had two bogeys and a double bogey on his first nine on Friday to drive home the fact that he'd miss the cut.

DeChambeau attempted to rally on his final few holes with birdies on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes, but that got him nowhere close to the projected cut line of four-over.

Instead of contending for his second major title, like he did for most of 2025, DeChambeau leaves Aronimink with a missed cut and in a tie for 111th place.

Rory McIlroy Makes Friday Charge

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Rory McIlroy produced his 43rd major round of 67 or lower on Friday.

The 67 put him in sole possession of second place on the list of rounds of 67 or better in major tournament history. He broke out of a tie with Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson. Only Tiger Woods has more rounds of 67 or lower at majors.

McIlroy is still five shots off the lead at one-over due to a brutal beginning to the PGA Championship in which he shot 74 with a string of four bogeys in a row on the front nine.

McIlroy reversed course on Friday with zero bogeys and three birdies scattered across his scorecard.

Two more rounds in the 60s will allow McIlroy to contend for the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday.

If he makes a few more putts than Friday, he could find himself in terrific position come Sunday afternoon.