FIFTH ILLINOIS OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IN SIGHT FOR SMALL
HAWTHORN WOODS, Ill. – Mike Small heads into the final round of the 59th Illinois Open Championship with a two-shot lead after carding a three-under-par 68 in Tuesday’s second round held at Hawthorn Woods (Ill.) C.C. If he successfully defends his title, he would tie Gary Pinns' record for the most victories in the history of the event. However, three young golfers may have a say in the outcome.
Amateurs Blake Biddle, St. Charles, Joe Emerich, Palatine, and professional Michael Schachner, Libertyville, are tied in second place with a two-round total of 139. The 16-year-old, 21-year-old and 22-year-old, respectively, have their focus on overthrowing Small in the "state championship of golf."
Small, 42, University of Illinois men’s head golf coach, opted for a putter change which would pay dividends later. His scorecard would showcase six birdies, three of which came on his final six holes.
"I made a putter change before today’s round and felt better," said Small. "I made an adjustment in my putting with six holes to go which made a big difference and I feel a lot better about that."
Small has won the last three Illinois Open titles and four overall. His four titles are second only to Pinns' five. That could all change on Wednesday.
"It's fun to come out with these guys and just compete," Small went on to say. "I have to do a little better tomorrow [Wednesday] and just keep getting better and we will see what happens."
Biddle, who was the co-leader after the first round of play, carded a one-over-par 72 which included bogeys on three of the four par 3 holes. He has the opportunity to become the youngest competitor to ever win the Illinois Open Championship. Biddle was disappointed when he found out he was not in the last group in Wednesday’s final round.
"I wanna play with Small," said Biddle. "I made some mental mistakes today that cost me at least three strokes. Tomorrow is another day and if I stay relaxed, I should shoot under par once again."
After carding an opening round 67 and a share of the lead, Curtis Malm, 30, Aurora, finished the second round with a three-over-par 74, leaving him four shots behind Small, tied in seventh place.
"Four shots back is not insurmountable but I need a little help I guess," Malm said. "He's [Small] going to be a hard guy to catch. If it was somebody else, you would feel a little better about yourself."
Malm is vying to become the fourth person to win the Illinois Open as both an amateur and a professional - a feat accomplished by Gary Hallberg, Gary Pinns, and Rick TenBroeck.
Schachner made national headlines in 2007 when he carded a 10-under par 60 in the NCAA Championships. The former Duke Blue Devil carded a one-under-par 70 in the second round, which included five birdies and four bogeys.
The final round will begin Wednesday, July 30th at 7:30 a.m. off the first tee. In the event of a tie for the Championship, there will be a three-hole total-stroke playoff. If the contestants remain tied after three holes, the playoff will continue to sudden death | 
