SMALL WINS 42ND PGA PROFESSIONAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR SECOND TIME
By Bob Denney, PGA.com Contributor

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. - Mike Small, the men's head golf coach at the University of Illinois, edged Mark Sheftic and Steve Schneiter by a shot to win the PGA Professional National Championship on Wednesday. Small, who also won the title in 2005, finished at 7-under 277 after a final-round 68 at Twin Warriors.

The 43-year-old Small arrived at the showcase event for PGA Professionals with what he called a "so-so" game the past few months and a bad back that caused him fits the night before the opening round. Yet on Wednesday, he rallied on the back nine at Twin Warriors Golf Club, while those ahead of him on the leader board backed up.

He closed with a 3-under-par 68 for a one-stroke victory over third-round leader Mark Sheftic of Ambler, Pa., and 1995 National Champion Steve Schneiter of Sandy, Utah.

"I didn’t come into this week with any expectations; I’ve finished second twice and come from behind twice to win now. I guess I’ve shocked myself," said Small, whose winning total of 7-under-par 277 earned him $75,000 from a $550,000 purse and made him one of only four players to win two or more PGA Professional National Championships.

The shock for Small wasn’t complete until Sheftic and Schneiter, playing a group behind, had missed in their bids on the 18th green to force a playoff. Small learned from PGA officials on the practice range that he was a Champion once more.

Small, the lone Illinois PGA Section member to win the National Championship, has a glossy record since his debut in 2004, including a 70.79 scoring average. He finished runner-up in 2004, won in 2005, was fourth in 2006, shared second in 2007 and tied for 41st in 2008.

Small birdied the 13th and 16th holes and came to the 18th green facing a potential winning 35-foot uphill birdie putt. His putt just slipped by the left edge of the hole.

"I made a nice putt there, and that was good," said Small, "because I didn’t hit many great putts coming in and it was nice to hit a good putt."

"I guess this came out of nowhere. I didn’t think about winning this until yesterday. I haven’t had much time to digest it yet."

Small got the boost he needed to stabilize his round and make the title run. It came on the 584-yard 16th hole. He hit a 230-yard 4-iron approach to within 15 feet of the hole.

"I hit a great shot at 16," said Small. "It was a quieting shot for me. It quieted me down. I didn’t hit the eagle putt well, but I ended up with a birdie. It seemed like everyone was bunched up all day out there. But in the end, in this altitude, on that course and the heat, they kind of came back to me. I guess I kind of outlasted them."

The 42nd PGA Professional National Championship featured 312 players representing 43 states and 41 PGA Sections.

The low 20 scorers earned a berth in the 91st PGA Championship, August 13-16, at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. The final round also determined the 10 members of this year’s United States Team, which faces Great Britain & Ireland in the 24th PGA Cup, September 18-20, at The Carrick in Loch Lomond, Scotland.

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