Small wins second straight PGA pro title
June 30, 2010
FRENCH LICK, Ind. (AP)—Mike Small birdied three of his last five holes to winhis second straight PGA professional championship on Wednesday, holding offSonny Skinner by three strokes.
The University of Illinois men’s coach shot a 1-over 73 in his final roundat French Lick Resort to finish 8 under and win his third overall PGA nationaltitle, tying Larry Gilbert’s record.
Mark Sheftic, the teaching pro at Merion in Ardmore, Pa., shot a 2-under 70to finish third at 3-under 283, Danny Balin of Burning Tree Country Club inGreenwich, Conn., shot 75 to finish fourth.
The top 20 finishers earned spots in the PGA Championship on Aug. 12-15 atWhistling Straits in Wisconsin.
Small, who won $75,000, became the third player to repeat as champion in the43-year-old event. Roger Watson also did it in 1974-75.
Skinner, the PGA teaching pro at River Pointe Golf Club in Albany, Ga., wastied with Small until the 215-yard 16th hole.
Skinner bogeyed the par-3, while Small nearly aced it, taking his lead backup to 2.
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