FRENCH LICK, Ind. (AP) — Defending champion Mike Small shot a course-record 7-under 65 on Tuesday to take a four-stroke lead entering the final round of the PGA Professional National Championships.
Small, the Illinois men’s coach, was at 9-under 205. He broke the record of 69 set on Monday by Bruce Smith, the PGA director of instruction at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas.
Danny Balin, the PGA assistant pro at Burning Tree Country Club in Greenwich, Conn., was second at 5-under 209 after shooting a 68.
Small, who also won the PGA National in 2005, dominated the 7,174-yard course with precision drives, approaches and putts. He birdied six of his first 10 holes, needing 10 putts. His only bogey came at No. 17. He came back to birdie No. 18.
