Mike Small won the PGA Professional National Championship for the record-tying third time, birdieing three of the final five holes Wednesday for a three-stroke victory over Sonny Skinner. Small, the University of Illinois men's coach, closed with a 1-over 73 on The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort to finish at 8 under. Successfully defending his title, Small matched the tournament victory record set by Larry Gilbert (1981, '82 and '91). "I tried to draw from strength and not weakness," said Small, also the 2005 champion. "I was just trying to survive. ... I was leaking oil, but I got through it and finished strong. That gives me a lot of satisfaction." Small won after nearly withdrawing Saturday because of elbow tendinitis. "I was very concerned," he said. "I had to change my swing and it actually helped me." http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/news/story?id=5344337
