Alex Smalley

Alex Anthony Smalley (born October 21, 1996, in Rochester, New York) is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. He grew up in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and now resides in Greensboro. A standout student-athlete at Duke University, where he graduated in 2019 with a degree in environmental science, Smalley built a reputation as one of college golf's most polished players before turning professional. As of May 2026 he sits at a career-high world ranking of 41, following a breakthrough week at the PGA Championship at Aronimink.

Smalley's amateur record was exceptional. He claimed medalist honors at the 2016 U.S. Amateur on debut, shooting 7-under 133 at Oakland Hills. He won the Sunnehanna Amateur in back-to-back years (2018-2019), the first player to do so since Rickie Fowler, and represented the United States on the victorious 2019 Walker Cup team. At Duke he set the program's lowest single-season stroke average (70.35) and was named ACC Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2019. He earned his PGA Tour card through the Korn Ferry Tour Finals ahead of the 2021-22 season.

On tour, Smalley built steadily through consistent ball-striking rather than power. He was runner-up at the Corales Puntacana Championship in March 2022 and again at the John Deere Classic in July 2023, without yet breaking through for a first victory. His 2026 season marked a clear step forward in form, culminating in a T2 at the Zurich Classic before arriving at Aronimink. There he shot 67-69-68 across the first three rounds to hold a two-stroke lead entering the final round of the PGA Championship -- the first 54-hole lead of his professional career in an OWGR-sanctioned event. A closing 70 left him tied for second alongside Jon Rahm at 6-under, three strokes behind winner Aaron Rai.

Observers note a patience-over-power mentality that suits demanding major venues. His runner-up finish at Aronimink confirmed him as a legitimate major contender heading into the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills and The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale later in the year.

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