Fifth Illinois Open win would be huge for Small

It may be a new venue this year - the Arnold Palmer-designed Hawthorn Woods Country Club - but that doesn't change the fact that the man to beat at the 59th Illinois Open is Mike Small.

Last year, the University of Illinois men's golf coach made Illinois PGA history by winning his sixth Illinois PGA Championship title, surpassing Illinois golf legends Bill Ogden and Johnny Revolta, who each hold five titles.

The 59th Illinois Open Championship, which runs today through Wednesday, may prove to be another defining moment in Small's illustrious career.

Winning this year's championship would give him five Illinois Open titles, tying Gary Pinns' record for most victories (1978 (a), 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990) in the state championship of golf.

"Small's an obvious favorite," said Palatine resident Joe Emerich, who finished fourth in last year's Open. "But because they moved the date of the tournament this year, the field is a lot stronger than last year."

It is first time in seven years that a course other than The Glen Club in Glenview will host the state championship. The Glen Club previously hosted six consecutive Illinois Open Championships (2002-2007), and Royal Fox Country Club hosted seven (1991-1995, 2000-2001).

"Definitely," Emerich said when asked if he'll miss competing at Glenview, "But there are a lot of similarities between the two courses. Hawthorn Woods has done a great job.

"The way this course is set up, it's very fair. It's not too long, so it brings a lot of players into the action."

So what will the key will be?

"Whoever is the best putter this week wins the tournament," said Emerich, who will be entering his senior year at Illinois State this fall.

Small, 42, captured last year's rain-shortened Championship with a 36-hole total of 136 (70-66-136). His margin of victory was two strokes over 2008 PGA Tour rookie Kevin Streelman of Wheaton and amateur Joe Cermak. The victory was Small's third consecutive Illinois Open Championship title and fourth overall in the past five years. His four titles (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007) are second only to Gary Pinns' five.

The 2008 Open starting field will be comprised of 156 participants including 46 amateurs and 9 past champions. The first and second rounds will be held Monday and Tuesday, starting at 7:30 a.m. off the first and tenth tees, The final round is Wednesday.

Expect a wide-open affair.

"There are a lot of great players out here," Emerich said. "It's anybody's ballgame."