PGA Championship: McIlroy still chasing as Rahm starts Sunday strong

Matti Schmid took the outright lead at six under par after making a birdie on the sixth hole, completing three gains in five holes. Alex Smalley, who started the day two shots clear, made a double bogey and fell back into a tie, shifting momentum to the chasing group. Jon Rahm made an aggressive start by birdieing the first and second holes, moving to six under and matching Schmid. Rahm’s motivation is tied to uncertainty about his future after LIV Golf’s Saudi backers announced they will not fund the circuit beyond this season. Rory McIlroy is scrambling to stay in contention as the final round remains unsettled.

"Matti Schmid seizing the outright lead at six under par through six holes of the final round at Aronimink, while Jon Rahm has birdied two of his first two holes to muscle himself into contention and Rory McIlroy is scrambling to stay in touch."

"Schmid, 28, who entered the week ranked 82nd in the world, reached the top of the leaderboard for the first time after a birdie at the sixth completed a run of three gains in five holes. Overnight leader Alex Smalley, who began the day two shots clear of the field, has already made a double bogey to fall back into a tie, handing the initiative to the chasing pack in exactly the chaotic fashion the leaderboard had promised."

"The Spaniard, who began the day at four under and in a share of second, birdied both the first and second holes to pull alongside Schmid at six under. Rahm has spoken publicly this week about the uncertainty surrounding his future following the announcement that LIV Golf's Saudi backers will not fund the circuit beyond this season. If he is looking for motivation, the Wanamaker Trophy would settle the matter considerably."

"The story of the morning is the overnight leader's stumble. Alex Smalley, the 29-year-old who has never won on the PGA Tour and had never previously finished better than tied 23rd at a major, held a two-shot lead at six under as the final pairing teed off. He has already given ground with a double bogey, but did drain a brilliant 26-foot par save on the third to limit the damage and keep himself in the group at the top."

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