McIlroy climbs into contention as Aronimink tests the US PGA
McIlroy climbs into contention as Aronimink tests the US PGA
Rory McIlroy surges back into contention at Aronimink as the US PGA Championship heats up, while Patrick Reed fights to close out his round with a strong finish.
Aronimink Golf Club once again lived up to its reputation for testing every facet of a player's game, as the US PGA Championship moved into its third round. The course's firm greens and tricky pin placements punished mistakes while rewarding precise approach shots and nerve under pressure.
Rory McIlroy arrived at Aronimink with work to do after an uneven start, but he refused to fade from the hunt. He picked off a handful of quality birdies and, with a composed finish, moved into the late pack that could still influence the championship Sunday. His late rally underscored why he remains a championship performer when the stakes rise.
Patrick Reed provided a reminder of how quickly a round can swing. After opening with momentum, he rattled off birdies at 13 and 16, then served an near-ideal approach at 18 from 147 yards pin-high to four feet. The birdie putt didn’t cooperate, sliding left to right differently from his read, and he signed for a 67, landing him at three under for the day and still very much in contention.
On top of the leaderboard, the names of Rahm, Rai and Gotterup loomed, showing the depth of talent just a few strokes clear of the field. The day’s scoring segment highlighted that several big names were in range, with McIlroy, Schauffele, and Reed also closing in as the day wore on.
Meanwhile, some players vented about the course’s setup—pin positions that felt both clever and absurd—yet the overall story remained about how Aronimink’s contours and fast greens punished poor decisions and rewarded thoughtful course management. Scheffler stayed in the mix at halfway, signaling the big leaderboard that remains in flux as the weekend nears.
As the sun set on another dramatic day, the chase for the elusive major continued. McIlroy’s resurgence put him firmly back in the weekend rotation, Reed’s round proved he can still close, and the field’s depth suggested Sunday could deliver a finale as unpredictable as it is exciting for golf fans.
