Saturday, June 27, 2026Sports Chronicle
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Aaron Rai Makes Major Move While Sahith Theegala Falls Behind at PGA Championship

Via: Imagn

Aaron Rai moved into contention at the PGA Championship on Saturday, but unfortunately, Sahith Theegala advanced in the opposite direction.

Rai shot a third-round 67 Saturday at the PGA Championship to move into a tie for second place, two shots behind 54-hole leader Alex Smalley. Theegala shot a two-over 72 and dropped to tied for 52nd place. The third round at Aronimink Golf Club changed the leaderboard before Sunday's final round.

Sahith Theegala started the week strongly and finished inside the top 10 after the first round. But on Saturday, he made two birdies and four bogeys, which dropped him to tied for 52nd place. His week had already become difficult in the second round when he took a lost ball penalty on the 10th hole. That led to a triple bogey and knocked him out of the title race.

May 12, 2026; Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, Aaron Rai plays a shot from a fairway bunker on the eighth hole during a practice round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at Aronimink Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

On the other hand, Rai made back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th holes, which briefly moved him to the top of the leaderboard. He finished with six birdies in the round. However, a poor tee shot and approach shot on the 18th hole cost him one shot. He is now at four under overall.

He shot a 67, which matches his best score in a major championship. The 31-year-old has finished tied for 19th in a major three times. His best result at the PGA Championship was tied for 19th at Quail Hollow Club in 2025.

He averaged just over 309 yards off the tee on Saturday, the shortest driving distance among the top 12 players. But he made up for it with excellent approach shots, gaining more than three and a half strokes.

He is tied for second place with Jon Rahm, Nick Taylor, Matti Schmid, and Ludvig Aberg.

Jon Rahm Chases History as First Spaniard to Win the PGA Championship

Almost 30 players are within five shots of the lead going into Sunday. Among them, Rahm is trying to break a record that has stood throughout the PGA Championship's history. Jon Rahm shot a 67 on Saturday and moved to four under.

No player from Spain has ever won the PGA Championship. If he wins on Sunday, he will make history as the first.

Nick Taylor and Matti Schmid both shot 65, the best round of the day, and moved into the title race. Taylor has won five PGA Tour events, while Schmid is still looking for his first PGA Tour win.

Ludvig Aberg shot a 68 and goes into Sunday in a strong position. If he wins, he would become only the second Swedish man to win a major championship, after Henrik Stenson.

Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler shot a 71 and is tied for 23rd place. Brooks Koepka and Brian Harman are also in the same position going into Sunday.

So, do you think Rahm will rewrite history by becoming the first Spaniard to win the PGA Championship? Also, in which place do you think Aaron Rai will conclude his run in the tournament?

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Souvik Roy