PGA Championship contender cashes in after star forced to withdraw

Daily Mirror

16-05-2025

Alex Smalley was the first alternate for the PGA Championship and only found out he would be competing one day before the tournament, yet he made a major impression on the event's first day
Just a day before the PGA Championship started, Alex Smalley was on tenterhooks, unsure whether he'd even get to swing his clubs at Quail Hollow. As an alternate, his participation hinged on the withdrawal of a qualified player.
Fate intervened when Sahith Theegala was forced to step aside due to a lingering neck injury that saw him bow out early from the Truist Championship the previous week. The injury failed to heal in time for the prestigious event and subsequently opened the door for Smalley, 28, who has seized the moment spectacularly.
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From barely being in the tournament to soaring to T4 in the leaderboard as Friday dawned, the North Carolina-born star turned what seemed improbable into reality.
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"I really prepared just like any other week," said Smalley following his astounding start to the tournament. "Obviously, it's interesting being first alternate. I was losing hope after every passing hour. And you know, you hear about everybody's ailments being first alternate."
Not knowing his fate until Wednesday afternoon didn't hinder Smalley, who lit up the course with three birdies across four holes on the back nine.
Although he gave away a couple of shots on the formidable par-four over on the front nine, he spectacularly clawed back into contention with a mesmerising 70-foot eagle putt on the par-five seventh, reports the Express.
After securing a birdie at the eighth and maintaining par on the challenging ninth, Smalley ended three shots behind the leader Jhonattan Vegas. Despite his delight, Smalley spared a thought for Theegala.
"I wish him the best and hope to have him back out here as quick as possible because us players and I know the fans really like him a lot," Smalley said. "It was a shame to see him not be able to play this week. But it was nice to get an opportunity to play."
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Smalley almost made the cut for the PGA Championship a week earlier. Last week at Myrtle Beach Classic, he was just two shots off the lead, and he had hope due to a unique circumstance.
A space was reserved at the PGA Championship in case the Myrtle Beach winner was already qualified. It boiled down to Ryan Fox, Mackenzie Hughes and Harry Higgs.
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Since Hughes was pre-qualified for the PGA, Smalley would step in if Hughes clinched the victory. However, with Hughes bogeying the final hole and Fox winning the tie-breaker, Smalley remained first alternate.
Smalley made the hopeful journey back to Greensboro, North Carolina, fingers crossed for a chance to play. Reflecting on his opportunity, he said: "I live about an hour and a half from here in Greensboro. I grew up just north of Raleigh. To have a major championship in your home state is awesome. To be able to get in last minute is great."
He has also been the first alternate on a few occasions on the PGA Tour. While it's somewhat of a stretch to expect anything major from him, with the star finishing in T23 at his last PGA Champs in 2023, it's worth remembering that John Daly famously won the 1991 event as the ninth alternate in his rookie season on the Tour.
'I guess I've had decent luck at first alternate before, but I don't really want to be in that position anymore,' Smalley said. However, this pans out for him, it's been a very unexpected 24 hours for the US star.