Small savors the big stage

How much does Mike Small enjoy playing in majors?

Let's let him explain.

"I would putt on gravel and play in a mosquito-infested jungle if it's a major," the University of Illinois men's golf coach said. "I don't care; I'll do what it takes."

Sure, he was talking about the preponderance of mosquitoes on the course at Whistling Straits the past few days when he said that, but you get the idea.

The guy loves big-time tournaments.

He loves competing, whether it's statewide events which he has dominated of late or national tournaments like his record-tying third title in the PGA Professional National Championship which he won in June in French Lick, Ind., to qualify for this week's final major of the season.

This will be Small's sixth appearance in a PGA Championship, the holy grail for him and the 19 other club pros in the field.

"I look forward to this more than anything," he said. "I've played in three U.S. Opens and I consider this - obviously I'm a little biased - but this is the best championship I can play in.

"It's a big deal to me being a PGA of America Member and to come to this event; and I know most of the officers, a lot of the employees at the PGA of America, and obviously being the strongest field of all the majors is a unique thing. So to come here and have a chance to compete with these guys and maybe, who knows, beat a few of them, it's kind of fun. I look forward to it."

And he really looks forward to not only battling it out with the best players in the world, but going for bragging rights against his fellow club pros for a chance to be recognized along with the tournament champion, like Small was in the 2007 PGA at Southern Hills when he was the low club pro and celebrated on the 18th green alongside one Tiger Woods.

"I've only told the officers of the PGA of America this, but I really appreciate the effort they have given the last few years to the PGA of America members on the playing side," Small said. "It really brings some credibility and some interest to the pros. That's a big deal.

"It's our tournament inside a tournament for us, and that's when you want to win. That's kind of a neat deal."