McClellan returning to PGA
HERSHEY — To get to the PGA Championship, Rob McClellan was not holding anything back.
McClellan, the Butler Country Club professional, finished Wednesday with a 74 for a four-round total of 278 to tie for fifth place at the PGA Professional National Championship at Hershey Country Club.
By finishing in the top 20, McClellan will advance to the PGA Championship Aug. 11-14 at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Johns Creek, Ga.
“My mindset was going out and playing aggressive and give myself a chance to win,” said McClellan, who was tied for first place with three holes to go.
“I just didn’t want to do anything stupid and fall out of it,” he added.
David Hutsell, Scott Erdmann and Faber Jamerson all finished at 11-under par, but Hutsell won after a two-hole playoff.
McClellan finished at 7-under par, but saw his 11-under shrivel to 7-under in the last three holes, including a double bogey at 16.
“It was a long par 3 with water at the left and water to the right. The wind was hard right to left and I had a big draw with my iron,” McClellan said.
“I hit it over the lake and on a downslope ... The guy I was playing with did the same thing. he chipped it over the green.
“After making double bogey there, I knew I needed two birdies,” McClellan added.
The birdies didn’t come, but McClellan had such sizzling rounds on Monday and Tuesday — 4-under and 5-under, respectively — to build enough of a big cushion that a top 20 finish did not seem out of the ordinary.
McClellan did eagle the No. 6 hole and had birdies on 1, 4 and 14, but bogeyed six holes (2, 9, 10-13, 17 and 18).
Last year, McClellan entered the final round of the PGA Professional Championship on the outside looking in and just went out and played his game.
“I had no expectations of making the PGA Championship,” McClellan noted, “until an hour after I was done. I saw that I had a chance to get into 20th place.”
As it turned out, McClellan finished tied for 15th, but improved his standing 10 places this year.
With the PGA Championship less than two months away, McClellan will take things as they come, but perhaps a little more aggressively.
“Getting to play in the PGA with guys who do this for a living, it’s like you’ve already achieved what you wanted to achieve,” McClellan said.
“Making the cut is the No. 1 goal, just a chance to play four rounds in Atlanta. Last year, (the PGA Championship) was the best golf experience. I’m looking to make the cut this time.”
