June 24, 2007

Sunriver, Ore. - Illini head coach Mike Small finished in a tie for second place at the 40th PGA Professional National Championship, held at the Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Ore. Small, who entered the final round tied for fourth, moved up two spots on the leaderboard after a 1-over par 73 in the final round at the 7,566 yard Crosswater Golf Club.

By finishing in the top 20 this weekend, Small has earned a berth in the 89th PGA Championship, which will be held August 9-12 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Okla. This marks the fourth straight year that he will compete in the PGA Championship. Small's first appearance came in 2004 at Whistling Straights. He then made the cut at the 2005 PGA at Baltusrol before missing the cut by just one shot last year at Medinah Country Club.

Small, the 2005 PGA Professional National Champion, was gunning for his second title in the last three years. He was tied for the lead at the halfway point of the 72-hole event with scores of 70 and 67 in the first two rounds to stand at 6-under par. He slipped into a tie for fourth place at 3-under after a 3-over par 75 on Saturday, before firing a 73 in the final round to finish at 2-under par for the tournament and move into the second place tie.

Chip Sullivan, of Daleville, Va., fired a 2-under par 70 in the final round to pull away from the field and finish at 6-under par for the tournament, four shots ahead of Small and Ryan Benzel, the leader after three rounds.

For complete scores, stories, photos and more information from the 40th PGA Professional National Championship, please visit the PGA website.