Alex Smalley, Maverick McNealy hold PGA Championship lead

Key Points:

• The PGA Championship at Aronimink is proving to be unusually challenging, with players struggling more than expected on a course traditionally considered the easiest of the four majors.
• After 36 holes, Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy lead at 4-under par, with a tightly packed leaderboard featuring many top players within six shots, reflecting the difficulty in scoring birdies.
• The course setup features diabolical pin positions and tough conditions, including 25-mph winds, making it comparable to the hardest tests in golf like Shinnecock and Oakmont, according to players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
• Players are describing the event as more "US Open-esque" due to its difficulty, with expectations that the winning score will be much higher than typical PGA Championships, possibly far from the usual 16-under target.
• Despite the challenge, top golfers remain optimistic about their chances, emphasizing the need for strategic play and strong putting to navigate the tough course conditions over the weekend.