With little-known American golfer Alex Smalley just 18 holes away from his first ever win on the PGA Tour, an unexpected family member is stealing the spotlight in the form of his ‘momager’ Maria.
New York native Smalley, 29, sits atop the leaderboard at the PGA Championship, two shots clear of the likes of Jon Rahm and Ludvig Aberg, therefore catapulting himself onto the world’s stage.
But while he heads into the final day with a $3.7 million first prize within touching distance, it is his mom and business manager Maria that has many fans talking.
Not only did she bring up the rising star golfer, but she also manages his career, has previously been his caddie – and has watched EVERY shot he’s played since his senior year in high school.
Remarkably, Maria is in charge of Smalley’s ‘tracking data’ and notes down her son’s club selection, distance to the flag and wind direction for every shot he plays in competition.
According to The Athletic, Maria did this throughout Alex’s college career at Duke, and then ever since on the PGA Tour Canada, the LocaliQ Series, and now the pinnacle on the PGA Tour.
Alex Smalley celebrates with his caddie after finishing his third round top of the leaderboard
Smalley’s mom Maria has watched every shot he has played since his senior year in college
She uses an app called ‘Shots to Hole’, and also regularly adds altitude, lie and slope to her son’s performances – all so he can review his tournaments and try to gain an edge over his opponents on the course.
‘Luckily, I got a new phone back in December,’ she told The Athletic. ‘Because my other one, I was constantly backing up and deleting stuff. Sometimes I go back and delete certain ones, but it’s funny, because his coach asked me, “Do you have anything from like, 5 years ago?” and I’m like, “yes, I do!”‘
While he has not yet won on the PGA Tour since turning pro in 2019, it appears to be making a difference now, with Smalley two shots clear after 54 holes of the PGA Championship, golf’s second major of the year.
In a 2023 interview with the PGA Tour, Maria explained more about her role in her son’s career: ‘I do his business stuff, I do his stats. That’s what I do when I’m texting all the time on the course.
Smalley is two shots clear of the field and eyeing up the $3.7million first prize at Aronimink
Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Co are struggling to keep up with little-known Smalley
‘It helps to keep me focused so my head’s not racing and I’m not just going crazy. Gives me something to do.’
In the same interview, she was asked about the pride she feels in seeing her son play on the highest stage – something that will surely be further exacerbated on the Sunday of a major championship later today.
‘It only hits me every now and then,’ she said. ‘[In 2022] at the Scottish Open, I was walking down 16 and I just started crying. “Oh my God he’s on the PGA Tour.” Every now and then I get that feeling.’
