Small holds off Biancalana

Posted August 29, 2007 11:00 pm

Special to the Daily Herald

University of Illinois men's golf coach Mike Small has accomplished a great deal since securing his PGA membership in 1996.

None more impressive than winning the Illinois PGA Championship for a record sixth time.

Small, 41, shot a 2-under-par 70 Wednesday at Stonewall Orchard Golf Club in Grayslake to win the 2007 Illinois PGA Championship by 3 strokes over Roy Biancalana.

Small's 54-hole total of 202 (14 under) is an Illinois PGA Championship record.

"I got off to a really good start today," Small said. "I birdied four of the first six holes, then got a little sideways, but played three solid holes coming in after Roy got my attention at (No.) 15. Give Roy credit, he played well shooting a 68 out there."

Small became the first person in the 85-year history of the Illinois PGA Championship to win five consecutive titles and six overall. In 2002, Small lost in a playoff to Gary Groh.

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