Illinois’ Small (63) sets Olympia Fields record

Mike Small during the second round of the 2009 PGA Championship.

Mike Small during the second round of the 2009 PGA Championship.

Men's Rankings »

RankNameSchoolRating
1Michael KimCalifornia  68.93 
2Brandon StoneTexas  69.24 
3Cory WhitsettAlabama  69.34 
4Julien BrunTCU  69.51 
5Bobby WyattAlabama  69.65 

Men's Team Rankings »

RankNameRatingEvents
1California 69.32  12 
2Alabama 69.64  10 
3Texas 70.34  10 
4UCLA 70.45  11 
5New Mexico 70.47  12 

Illinois men’s coach Mike Small broke the course record Tuesday on the South Course at Olympia Fields Country Club in the Illinois PGA Championship.

Small made six birdies and an eagle in his 8-under 63, and had a six-shot lead heading into the final round.

He has won the Illinois PGA Championship in consecutive years since 2003. He also won he 2001 title.

In June, Small, 44, won the PGA Professional National Championship for a record-tying third time. A day before winning the event, Small set the course record (65) at the Pete Dye Course at French Lick (Ind.) Resort.

In August, Small shot 78-74 at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits and missed the cut by seven shots.

The Fighting Illini, led by senior Scott Langley, the 2010 NCAA individual champion and U.S. Amateur quarterfinalist, open the 2010-11 season Sept. 11-12 at the Wolf Run Invitational in Zionsville, Ind.

Illinois finished the 2009-10 season No. 12 in the Golfweek/Sagarin College Rankings.