NEVILLEWOOD — A decent round Tuesday landed Rob McClellan six shots back.

A great round Wednesday earned him his first West Penn Open Championship.

Butler Country Club’s golf professional fired a 6-under-par 66 in the event’s second round, giving him a total of 136 at The Club at Nevillewood.

Nathan Sutherland of Wyomissing was second at 138.

“I’ve competed in the West Penn every year since 2004 and finished second last year,” said McClellan. “I hit the ball well off the tee (Wednesday) and except for a few of the par-5 holes, I hit a lot of good iron shots.”

In Tuesday’s opening round, McClellan rebounded from a slow start to birdie four consecutive holes after the turn. He finished the day with a 2-under-par 70, six shots back of East Vandergrift’s Aaron Williams.

“I didn’t hit the ball all that well Tuesday, but it ended up okay with that late charge,” he said.

Entering Wednesday’s play, McClellan was tied for ninth with three other players, including Sutherland.

“I didn’t have a score in mind that would get me back in it,” said McClellan. “I was just trying to make as many birdies as possible.”

That thinking led to eight birdies, including two straight to open the second round.

“On the first hole, I got the ball to within 18 inches and on the second, to within 12 inches,” said McClellan. “I had two tap-ins for birdie. It was a great start.”

McClellan bogeyed the 196-yard, par-3 fifth hole. He then went 10 straight holes with nothing worse than a par. That stretch included birdies on No. 6, 9, 10, 12, 14 and 15.

McClellan tied for the lead while playing No. 12 and took the lead for good three holes later.

“I had only played Nevillewood three times before this week,” said McClellan of the course, which was designed by Jack Nicklaus. “The conditions are phenomenal. The greens and bunkers are perfect. They take care of the course well.”

McClellan will compete in the Seven Springs Open Monday and Tuesday.

He has already qualified for the 2011 PGA Championship next month at the Atlanta Athletic Club. He played in last year’s event, but missed the cut.

“It would be nice to be playing well entering the PGA,” said McClellan, “but I’m just glad to be back in the field. Obviously, my goal is to make the cut and play all four days.”

St. Jude Golf Club member Sean Knapp finished tied for third with a 67-73-140.