Illinois golf coach shoots 65 at PGA PNC

Just six of 84 players broke 70 in the third round Tuesday at the PGA Professional National Championship. That should provide a sense of the difficulty of the Pete Dye Course in French Lick, Ind.

And only one broke 68 - Illinois golf coach Mike Small. He fired a 7-under 65 that puts him in prime position to defend his title at the PNC, which features the nation's top teaching professionals.

"I made some putts early and played solid all day," Small said on the Golf Channel.

Small, wearing a white baseball cap with an orange Illini logo, got up and down for birdie on No. 18 by rolling home a 7-foot putt. He leads by four shots with one round to play.

"I'm tickled to death and will be ready for (Wednesday)," he said.