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108th PGA Championship — Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Aaron Rai Captures PGA Championship by Three Strokes updated: Sunday, May 17 Ball-striker Aaron Rai became the first British player to win the PGA Championship in 107 years. Jim Barnes in 1919 won the title, Rai ended the British drought with a final round of 65, for a total of 271, nine under par, taking the title by three strokes over Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley. Rai is also the first player of Indian heritage to win the PGA title. Rai was born in Wolverhampton, England, to parents of Indian origin, with his family roots tracing back to Punjab. Rai rallied over the back nine after going out one under par over the front nine. An eagle on the par-5 9th hole set up his historic charge. Coming in, Rai was bogey-free, scoring birdies on 11, 13, 16, and 17. A par on the 18th left him at four-under on the back nine and a total of 65 for the round. Rai trailed Alex Smalley by two strokes at the start of the final round, but finished three-strokes better than the 3rd round leader. Over the four rounds at Aronimink, Rai's stats spoke of accuracy off the tee, quality of the short game, and putting prowess. In the full field, he ranked 4th in driving accuracy, 2nd in approach shots and 5th in putting, numbers that proved crucial over tight fairways and tricky greens. He also led the field in birdies, carding 22 over the 72 holes. The next major tournament on the tour is the U.S. Open, June 18-21 at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, on Long Island, in Southampton, New York. 156 competitors will vie for the title over the 7,440 yards, par 70 course which features two par-5s, four par-3s and 12 par-4 holes. Shinnecock Hills has hosted five U.S. Opens, first in 1896, and most recently in 2018, won by Brooks Koepka. Last year's winner, J.J. Spaun will be defending his 2025 title and the right to hold the Nicklaus Medal and custody of the U.S. Open trophy for a year. Alex Smalley Takes 2-Stroke Lead into PGA Championship Final RoundUpdated: Sunday, May 17 Alex Smalley carded his third straight sub-70 round with a 68 on Aromimink's par-70 course, taking sole possession of first place in the PGA Championship. Smalley struggled though the front nine, posting four bogeys, though he steadied with birdies on 7 and 9. On the backside, he regained the lead with five birdies, three pars and one bogey. Five plaers are chasing Smalley, two back at -4. They are Ludvig Aberg, Aaron Rai, Jon Rahm, Nick Taylor, and Matti Schmid, who posted a 65 along with Taylor, the leading Canadian golfer. Maverick McNealy, who was tied with Smalley after two rounds, dropped to -3, sharing that score with Rory McIlroy, Patrick Reed, and Xander Schauffele. World #1 golfer, Scottie Scheffler shot a 71 Saturday, falling into a tie for 23rd at -1. The concluding round begins and ends Sunday, with Schmid paired with Smalley in the final twosome, set to tee off at 2:35 pm ET. Live coverage begins at 1:00 pm ET on CBS. Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy Lead PGA Championship After Two Rounds Updated: Saturday, May 16 With the field cut down to 82 players (+4 and ties), Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy will begin the third round tied for the lead, each having finished the first two rounds at 136, four under par. Six players are tied for third, one stroke back (-3) including Min Woo Lee, Max Greyserman, Aldrich Potgieter, Stephan Jaeger, Hideki Matsuyama, and Chris Gotterup. A host of threats are at -2 after two rounds, including Ludvig Aberg, Harris English, Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, and Justin Thomas. Any of these top 15 have a legitimate chance of being at or within a stroke of the lead at the conclusion of the third round. Notably, Jon Rahm and Jason Day are both at -1, and a trio of major winners - Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, and Rory Mcilroy are one shot over par. The low round for the tournament is 65, carded Friday by Chris Gotterup, putting him in a prime position at -3 after an opening round 72. The par-70 course at Aronimink has been stingy, but not altogether impossible. Keeping the ball in play off the tee to tight fairways has been a key to success. Co-leaders, Smalley and McNealy have a 2:40 pm tee time. Before them are a number of interesting groups to watch, including Brooks Koepka and Rory Mcilroy at 11:00 am, Justin Thomas and Cameron Young at 2:00 pm, both in the running at -2. Just prior to the leaders, at 2:30 pm, the pairing of Mideki Matsuyama and Chris Gotterup will be of keen interest. Both have been banging on the door of a major tourney win. Naturally, many eyes will be on the pair teeing off at 1:30, Scottie Scheffler and David Puig. Round three will be a scramble to stay in contention and get to a late starting time for Sunday, where anybody within two or three shots of the lead - which could be as many as 10 or 12 players - will have a shot at hoisting the cherished Wanamaker Trophy.
Round 1 update, Friday, May 15 With players already on the course Friday morning for round 2 of the PGA Championship at Aronimink, the first round ended Thursday with a 6-way tie for the lead, including world #1, Scottie Scheffler at -3 for the round, each plaer carding a 67. Rory McIlroy, obviously bothered by a foot blister, stumbled to a 74 and appears to be out of the running this time around. As round 2 commenced, Scheffler started off on the wrong foot, with bogies on 10, 12, and 13, dropping him into a tie for 26th, three over for his round. There is a rash of players within three or four strokes of the top. The cutoff for the weekend, wherein the field will be cut down to the top 70 players and ties looks to be around +3 or +4 for the first 36 holes. Will update as scores are posted at the conclusion of round 2. May 14-17, 2026 — TV: ESPN/TNT/CBS The PGA Championship returns to Aronimink Golf Club for the first time since 1962 — a 64-year absence — when the 108th edition of the tournament tees off Thursday morning in the Philadelphia suburbs. The field features 15 PGA Champions, 29 major champions and 20 PGA of America Golf Professionals competing across four days for the Wanamaker Trophy. Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion after his dominant five-stroke win at Quail Hollow last May, and Rory McIlroy are co-favorites — though McIlroy arrives under a cloud of concern. The Course Designed by legendary architect Donald J. Ross, the 1928 layout is widely considered his masterpiece. Aronimink rewards precision over power, with rolling fairways, strategic bunkering, and classic green complexes that demand thoughtful shot-making. The course was comprehensively restored by architect Gil Hanse and partner Jim Wagner in 2016-2017 to return it to Ross's original vision. Aronimink Golf Club plays as a par-70 golf course, playing to a scorecard distance of 7,394 yards. It has two par 5s, four par 3s and 12 par 4s. The course features Bentgrass fairways and greens, fescue rough approaching four inches and 176 bunkers. With only two par fives in the entire layout, length off the tee provides less advantage than at most modern major venues. Approach play projects as the most important statistical category for the 2026 PGA Championship. The last time a major championship was held here, Gary Player won the 1962 PGA Championship — the only previous time Aronimink has hosted the event. Aronimink sounds like a major-championship exam. Penn A-1/A-4 bentgrass greens, Tall Fescue/Poa Annua rough at 3.25 inches, 180 bunkers, average landing areas of 30 yards wide — tight, demanding and unforgiving throughout. As Hanse himself put it: "You will have to drive the ball well because the rough will be penal. You're going to have to hit good irons because the greens often feature different sections or quadrants." Recent Champions — Last Ten Years
2025 — Scottie Scheffler, -11, Quail Hollow Club Players to Watch Scottie Scheffler arrives as the world's top-ranked player and defending champion, having won five times already this season including back-to-back Masters titles. His ball-striking precision and iron play are tailor-made for a Donald Ross layout that demands accuracy over raw power. Scheffler is the clear betting favorite and the most complete player in the field. Rory McIlroy comes in as the second favorite, fresh off winning his second consecutive Masters and seeking his third PGA Championship title to go with his wins in 2012 and 2014. He would become just the sixth player in history to win the same major three or more times. However, his fitness status is a genuine concern heading into Thursday's first round. Xander Schauffele is the 2024 champion and one of the most consistent major performers in the current game. He arrives at Aronimink in solid form and has the iron play and course management skills to contend on a Ross layout. Brooks Koepka has three PGA Championship titles and an unmatched ability to raise his game at majors. He has finished outside the top 10 just twice in his last eight PGA Championship appearances. Aronimink's premium on precision suits a player who has always been better at managing his game than his public image suggests. Jon Rahm tees off alongside McIlroy and Jordan Spieth Thursday morning and brings an additional storyline — Spanish players have won every major but the PGA Championship, the one tournament keeping the proud country from the Spanish Grand Slam. Rahm won the U.S. Open in 2021 and the Masters in 2023. A win at Aronimink would complete a four-major sweep for Spain, connecting Rahm to the legacy of Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal. The McIlroy Situation The biggest talking point heading into Thursday is the condition of Rory McIlroy's right foot. McIlroy revealed at last week's Truist Championship that he was dealing with a blister under the nail of the small toe on his right foot. The situation worsened significantly on Tuesday when McIlroy ended his practice round prematurely due to foot discomfort. He played the first three holes at Aronimink Golf Club, but showed numerous signs of pain that caused him to end the day early. He was limping on his way to the third tee box. At one point, McIlroy sat on the ground in the third fairway to take his shoe off. McIlroy told reporters that he soaked his foot on Monday night and ripped the nail completely off to better treat the blister. Yet it was still bothering him during his practice. His team arrived at the course with multiple boxes of shoes as they searched for a comfortable fit. Golf Channel reported that he is planning to use a separator between his pinky toe and fourth toe because they're rubbing up against each other. He said he is not worried and should be okay for the PGA Championship. McIlroy tees off Thursday at 8:40 a.m. ET alongside Rahm and Spieth. Whether he can walk 72 holes over four days on a hilly Donald Ross course without the blister becoming a serious handicap is the question nobody can yet answer.
152nd Run for the Roses... Next, Preakness, May 16, Laurel Park
Preakness Early Outlook; Golden Tempo, Renegade to Skip
Update 5/6/2026
Kentucky Derby winner, Golden Tempo will skip the Preakness and point to the Belomnt Stakes at Saratoga on June 6 at Saratoga, where the third jewel of the Triple Crown will be run for a third straght year, according to David Grening at drf.com.
Ocelli, third place in the Derby, will run in the Preakness, according to trainer Whit Beckham, who said he came out of the race, "better than great." Crude Velocity, the Bob Baffert-trained winner of the Pat Day Mile, is a maybe. Baffert will make a definitive yes or no-go on Friday. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. said Bull by the Horns may run in the Preakness. Corona de Oro, trained by Dallas Stewart, was entered in the Kentucky Derby but did not draw in off the also-eligible list, is likely to run. Doug O'Neill's Robusta, 14th in the Kentucky Derby is another possibility for the Preakness.
Results of Fearless Rick's Kentucky Derby Picks
Update 5/6/2026
Congratulations on Golden Tempo winning the Kentucky Derby and to connections, trainer Cherrie DeVaux and jockey Jose Ortiz. Smashing victory.
The following are results of Fearless Rick’s picks on the Derby undercard stakes races, all of which were single horse picks, bet at $2 win, $4 place, $6 show, so every bet was $12 per race.
Race 4: #4 Ways and Means finished 2nd, $2 payoffs were $3.60 place and $2.98 show. With the $12 bet, $7.20 place, $8.94 show, net profit: $4.14
Race 5: #7 Yellow Card won. $2 payoffs, $7.80 win, $4.24 place, $3.02 show. $12 bet payoffs, $7.80 win, $8.48 place, $9.06 show, Gross: $25.34, Net $13.34, cumulative profit: $17.48.
Race 6: #4 Be You, ran out of money. Net loss, $12. Cumulative profit: $5.48.
Race 7: #7 Movin on Up ran out of money. Net loss, $12. Cumulative loss: -$6.52.
Race 8: #6 Crude Velocity ran out of money. Net loss: $12, Cumulative loss: -$18.52
Race 9: #4 Stark Contrast won. $2 payouts, $4.40 win, $2.88 place, $2.46 show. $12 bet yield, $4.40 win, $5.76 place, $7.38 show, gross +$17.58, net, $5.58, Cumulative loss: -$12.94
Race 10: 6 Knightsbridge ran out of money. Net loss: $12; Cumulative loss, $24.94
Race 11: #7 Gold Phoenix, ran out of money. Net loss: $12. Cumulative loss, $36.94
Note, Gold Phoenix in the 11th race was rallying up the rail until blocked off by a pair of horses. A win or second place showing would have likely got Rick even on the day. Such is racing luck.
In the Derby, Rick’s call on Renegade was a neck short to rider Irad Ortiz’s younger brother Jose, on Golden Tempo.
Rick;s bet was $4 win, $8 place, $12 show on #1 Renegade. Box 1-6-7-8 $1 exacta, $2 win-place on #17. A total bet of $40. No exacta and Six Speed (#17) did not wire the field. Renegade ran second. $2 payoffs were $7.14 place, $5.46 show. The $8 place bet paid $28.56. $12 show bet paid $32.76, for a gross of $61.32, a positive $21.32 on the Derby bet.
Total loss for the day was -$15.62. Over nine races, Rick lost an average of $1.74 per race, the kind of handicapping that keeps him coming back for more. He’s had quite a few winning days, incidentally.
Renegade just missed. It was Irad Ortiz’s 10th try at a Kentucky Derby win, just missed, now, 0-for-10. Surely, he’s happy for his brother, Jose, both of whom will be back for many years to come.
Next up, the Preakness at Laurel Park, Saturday, May 16. Pimlico is undergoing general repairs and renovation, much like Belmont Park in New York. See you near Bal’mer. Updates as events unfold.
Derby Undercard Stakes Races
As is the custom of Fearless Rick, one horse will be elected in each of the Churchill Downs Stakes undercard. The bet, unless otherwise noted, is $2 win, $4 place, $6 show. Bettors are advised to use that 1-2x-3x ratio according to their personal preferences, i.e., for high rollers, that might be $20 win, $40 place, $60 show.
Fearless Rick’s Kentucky Derby Picks There were a rash of scratches prior to the Derby, so the field is cut down to 18 horses going to the post. Scratched were #5 Right to Party; #9 The Puma; #13, Silent Tactic; #20, Fulleffort; and, #24 Corona de Pro. Drawing into the field are #21, Great White; #22, Ocelli; and #23, Robusta. They will race from the three outside posts and are not considered to figure in the final placings, except possibly Ocelli, who finished third 1 1/4 lengths behind Albus in the Wood Memorial, nose out for second by Right to Party, who is scratched for the Derby. He will be ridden by Tyler Gaffalione. Not to make too fine a point of it, but Iraz Ortiz Jr. is aboard #1 Renegade, winner of the Arkansas Derby by open lengths. Ortiz, widely regarded as one of the top three jockeys in the world, if not the best, is 0-for-9 in Derby starts and the Todd Pletcher-trainee give him the best shot at winning his first Derby. Should be prominent to mid-pack and able to unleash a strong finish. Much has been made of the inside, #1 post position being unfavorable, though it will probably be used to advantage by the crafty Ortiz. This horse should be wagered across the board as the odds will be in the range of 4-1, 5-1 in a huge field. With the scratches of Right to Party and Silent Tactic, the field opens up for #6 Commandment, with Luis Saez on the mount and #8 So happy, the Mark Glatt-trained winner of the Santa Anita Derby. #7 Danon Bourbon is undefeated in three starts in Japan and is well-suited to the 1 1/4 mile distance. Put a few bucks on #17 Six Speed, a threat to steal it all on the front end. The Bet: $4 win, $8 place, $12 show on #1 Renegade. Box 1-6-7-8 exacta, $2 win-place on #17, and enjoy the show! 2026 KENTUCKY DERBY OFFICIAL POST POSITIONS, ODDS SATURDAY, MAY 02 2026
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Napoleon Solo Takes Preakness Under Paco Lopez
Stalking a reasonable pace set by Taj Mahal, Paco Lopez guided Napoleon Solo to the lead at the top of the stretch, fending off a challenge by Flavian Prat aboard Iron Honor to win the 2026 Preakness after skipping the Kentucky Derby according to trainer Chad Summers' plan. Napoleon Solo paid $17.80 to win, $9.80 to place and $7.40 to show. The 10-9 $1 exacta paid $53.60. Finishing third was #6 Chip Honcho, who completed a $597.10 $1 trifecta. Ocelli, third in the Kentucky Derby, finished fourt. The 10-9-6-2 Superfecta returned $2377.80 for a $1 bet. The large field of 14 horses and the uncertainly of the betting public made this version of the Preakness - run for the first time at Laurel Park - one of the most lucrative for handicappers. The Preakness win was the first Triple Crown victory for jockey Paco Lopez, who has made a name for himself at various Eastern tracks including Monmouth Park in NewJersey, and Florida's Gulfstream Park. Next up in the Triple Crown series is the Belmont Stakes, which will be run at 1 1/4 miles at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York on June 6. With returnees from the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, and some new faces expected, the event could produce another betting bonanza. IdleGuy.com will provide coverage with Fearless Rick's Picks and analysis in the June issue. Fearless Rick’s Black-Eyed Susan and Preakness Day PicksFearless Rick's Preakness Day Picks Saturday, May 16
Preakness (Race 13): Two horses that come out of the Kentucky Derby, #2 Ocelli (ran 3rd) and #12 Incredibolt (ran 6th, beaten 4 lengths) merit serious consideration. #1 Taj Mahal is an undefeated local favorite having won all three of his races at Laurel Park and has the highest speed rating (101) in the field, an 8-length win at 1 1/8 miles and has been working bullets his last four workouts. He will have top local rider, Sheldon Russell, and trainer Brittany Russell in his corner. Blazing speed, he will be tough to catch if the track favors speed, which it usually does. #9 Iron Honor gets the services of Flavian Pratt and Chad Brown off a troubled trip in the Wood Memorial. Well rested, he fits well in this field, which has few contenders and many pretenders. Play a four-horse box for the exacta and trifecta: 1-2-9-12, $24. Bet the 2 and 9 $2 win, $4 place $6 show $24. Total wager $48. Though those four may well be the four favorites in the race, payoffs should be good due to the big field of 14 horses. Tough to pick the winner between them. The 2, 9, and 11 have all raced each other, but, given the #9 Iron Honor gets a jockey change and blinkers removed, he lurks as the real danger. #1 Taj Mahal is the wild card. His lead won’t be unchallenged and the pace could be hot, but he has dueled and come from off the pace before, so even if he doesn’t get the front, he could still be in it. Could be the proverbial “horse for the course.”
updated: Friday, May 15 As is the custom of Fearless Rick, one horse will be chosen in Black Eyed Susan (Friday, May 15) and Preakness (Sat., May 16) Stakes undercard. The bet, unless otherwise noted, is $2 win, $4 place, $6 show. Bettors are advised to use that 1-2x-3x ratio according to their personal preferences, i.e., for high rollers, that might be $20 win, $40 place, $60 show. Adventurous types may want to use horses chosen by Fearless Rick in exotics - exactas, trifectas, pick 3s, 4s, and 6s.
Friday, May 15 - Black-Eyed Susan Day, Laurel Park, Laurel, Maryland
Race 13, the Black-Eyed Susan, nine 3-year-old fillies go 1 1/8 miles over the Laurel surface. #10 My Miss Mo, with Tyler Gaffalione aboard, comes off two straight second-place finishes in Grade 2 events and looms one of the favorites from post #10 and has enough speed to get into the mix early. Chasing the leaders will be #3 Holly’s Holiday, #7 Jumping the Gun, and #9 A.P.’s Girl. #5 Braken Poppa should contests the pace early, but distance may become an issue. Late closing #2 Ivy Girl may hit the board depending on the pace scenario. The play is a four-horse box with 3-7-9-10 for the exacta ($12), $5 win, $10 place on #10 ($15), and $2 win, $4 place on #2 ($6) as a saver. Total wager: $33. Good luck. Races 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 (Preakness) will post later today. |
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