Golfer Benzel tied for third place at PGA Professional National Championship
Published 9:49 pm Monday, June 28, 2010
Ryan Benzel of Bothell, a teaching pro at Battle Creek Golf Course in Marysville, shot a second-round 2-under-par 70 Monday and is tied for third place at the PGA Professional National Championship at the French Lick Resort in French Lick, Ind.
Benzel started his day on the Pete Dye-designed course (one of two resort courses used for the tournament) with a bogey, but ran off consecutive birdies on the fifth, sixth and seventh holes to make the turn at 2-under. He played the second nine at even par and is at 2-under 140 for the tournament, leaving him tied for third with defending champion Mike Small and Bruce Smith.
The co-leaders are Rob Moss and Sonny Skinner, both at 3-under 139.
The tournament continues today and Wednesday, with both rounds to be played on the Dye course.
Benzel is vying for one of 20 places in the 2010 PGA Championship, scheduled for Aug. 12-15 at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis. Benzel has played in the past three PGAs, including the 2009 event at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.
