MALM AND BIDDLE SHARE MORE THAN JUST THE LEAD IN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP
HAWTHORN WOODS, Ill. – Curtis Malm holds the distinction of being the last amateur to win the Illinois Open Championship when he accomplished the feat in 2000 at Royal Fox C.C. in St. Charles, Ill. Little did he know, eight years later he would be tied for the lead in the 59th Illinois Open Championship with a 16-year old who witnessed Malm’s victory in 2000."
Malm and Amateur Blake Biddle from St. Charles sit atop the leader board after the first round of the Championship at Hawthorn (Ill.) Woods C.C. Both participants carded four-under-par 67’s, good for a one-shot lead heading into Tuesday’s second round of play.
“My main goal coming in was to make the cut. I didn't want to put high expectations on myself,” said Biddle. “I'm hitting it really good and putting it well. I hit 12 of 14 fairways and had only 25 putts all day.”
Biddle, playing in his first Illinois Open, carded six birdies, an eagle, two bogeys and a double bogey. At 16 years old, he is the youngest competitor in the field.
Malm, 30, is trying 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.
“I birdied the 7th, 8th and 9th holes to come in, which is always a good way to finish, said Malm. “It's been eight years since I won the Illinois Open. To capture the title again would really validate my win in 2000.”
Defending champion Mike Small, University of Illinois men’s head golf coach, is tied in fourth place after finishing the opening round with a two-under-par 69.
Small arrived in Chicago late last night from Colorado where he competed in the 72-hole Colorado Open. Small finished tied for second after losing in a playoff for the Championship title.
“The main reason I went to play in the Colorado Open was to get ready for the Illinois Open,” Small said. “I didn't hit it as good as I could have today. I got off to a pretty good start. I didn't do anything spectacular but I didn't do anything poorly either.”
Administered by the Illinois PGA since 1950, the Illinois Open has historical roots dating back to 1922. The "state championship of golf" is a 54-hole championship contested over three days to determine the finest player in the state of Illinois. The tournament is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap of 10 or less who reside within the state of Illinois. Qualifying events conducted throughout the month of June finalize the championship field to the top 156 players.
Following 36 holes of play, the field will be cut to the low 50 scores plus ties. 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 on a sudden death basis.
The second round will begin Tuesday, July 29th at 7:30 a.m. off the first and tenth tees, followed by the final round on Wednesday, July 30th. | 
