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July 2, 2009

Small wins PGA pro title

STAFF REPORT

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. — Danville native and University of Illinois golf coach Mike Small once again picked up another big win on Wednesday by winning the PGA Professional National Championship.

It was Small’s second win in the event after a win in 2005 and has also finished in a runner-up spot twice since his 2005 win.

“I surprised myself,” Small said. “I haven’t been able to practice and I’ve been hampered with a bad back, but when you get in this position, old memories kick in.”

With the win, Small will go to the PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Miss. on Aug. 13-16 and he will pick up an exemption for six PGA Tour events in 2010. Small’s appearance in this year’s PGA marks his eighth major championship appearance. He made the cut in 2005 and 2007 and earned the low club professional at Southern Hills is Tulsa, Okla. in 2007.

“This is huge,” Small said. “It validates the one I had four years ago and sets me up for a good year and a half of golf. It also brings credibility to our program.”

Small was four strokes out of lead but shot a 68 to finish at a seven-under-par 277, one stroke in front of Stephen Schneiter and Mark Septic. The trio entered the final two holes in a toe for first a -7.

Schneiter bogeyed 17 and after Small finished his round with a pair of pars, Sheftic failed to get up and down on 18, missing a 15-foot par putt.

Small’s winning hold was on the 584-yard par five 16th hole. Small reached the green in two, just barely missing an eagle putt before tapping in for birdie.

“After a solid drive, I hot a perfect 4 iron and just pulled the eagle putt,” Small said. “I concentrated on hitting greens and fairways on the tough 17 and 18 holes.

Small trailed Tim Weinhart by two strokes, but Weinhart played his last five holes at four-over par and finished at -4. Small made five birdies and just two bogeys in his three-under par round.

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