Small is big in golf

SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. - Forgive Mike Small if he wasn't hanging on his cell phone Wednesday afternoon to mark the first day that college golf coaches can contact recruits. The 2009 Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year was playing hooky by winning a second PGA Professional National Championship.

You're off the hook, Coach.

The 43-year-old Small arrived at the showcase event for PGA Professionals with what he called a "so-so" game the past few months and a bad back that caused him fits the night before the opening round. Yet on Wednesday, he rallied on the back nine at Twin Warriors Golf Club, while those ahead of him on the leader board backed up.

He closed with a 3-under-par 68 for a one-stroke victory over third-round leader Mark Sheftic of Ambler, Pa., and 1995 National Champion Steve Schneiter of Sandy, Utah.

"I didn't come into this week with any expectations; I've finished second twice and come from behind twice to win now. I guess I've shocked myself," said Small, whose winning total of 7-under-par 277 earned him $75,000 from a $550,000 purse and made him one of only four players to win two or more PGA Professional National Championships.

The shock for Small wasn't complete until Sheftic and Schneiter, playing a group behind, had missed in their bids on the 18th green to force a playoff. Small learned from PGA officials on the practice range that he was a Champion once more.

Meanwhile, defending champion Scott Hebert of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City gained his third straight berth at the PGA Championship by emerging from an eight-man playoff that determined the final six qualifiers.

Hebert, a native of Escanaba, birdied the second playoff hole to advance to Chaska, Minn. Aug. 13-16. Six of the eight players parred the first playoff hole, then Hebert blasted a chip shot from the left rough within two feet of the pin to advance. He shot 69 Wednesday and finished the four-day event with 282.

The drama back on the 18th green came in stages, while Small had warmed up by hitting a few practice balls.

Sheftic, a PGA teaching professional at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa., hit an 8-iron approach just over the green and chipped just short, leaving himself with a testy a six-foot par putt. His putt ran just past the hole.

"I think my nerves got the best of me today," said Sheftic, who was making his Championship debut. "But it felt so good to play this week and I won't complain."

Schneiter, a 45-year-old PGA assistant professional at Schneiter's Pebblebrook Links in Sandy, Utah, saw his 35-foot birdie putt run two feet past the cup. It was deja vu for Schneiter, who also finished runner-up by a stroke at Twin Warriors when it hosted the 2003 National Championship.

"I had a chance, but made double [bogey] at 12, bounced back with birdies at 13 and 16, but the three-putt at 17 was the story," he said.

Small, the lone Illinois PGA Section member to win the National Championship, has a glossy record since his debut in 2004, including a 70.79 scoring average. He finished runner-up in 2004, won in 2005, was fourth in 2006, shared second in 2007 and tied for 41st in 2008.

Small birdied the 13th and 16th holes and came to the 18th green facing a potential winning 35-foot uphill birdie putt. His putt just slipped by the left edge of the hole.

"I made a nice putt there, and that was good," said Small, "because I didn't hit many great putts coming in and it was nice to hit a good putt.

"I guess this came out of nowhere. I didn't think about winning this until yesterday. I haven't had much time to digest it yet."

Small got the boost he needed to stabilize his round and make the title run. It came on the 584-yard 16th hole. He hit a 230-yard 4-iron approach to within 15 feet of the hole.