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PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ben Polland shot a 3-under 67 on Monday on The Philadelphia Cricket Club's Wissahickon Course to take a four-stroke lead in the 48th PGA Professional National Championship.
The 24-year-old Polland is a PGA assistant professional at Deepdale in Manhasset, New York. He opened with a 4-under 68 on Sunday on Militia Hill Course and had a 7-under 135 total.
"I was trying to get a comfort level in the first few holes and I was kind of shaky," Polland said, "but I knocked it on in two at No. 7 (a par 5) and two-putted for birdie. That calmed me down a bit. I had good numbers to the next few greens and made putts."
Defending PGA Assistant champion Grant Sturgeon of Mamaroneck, New York, and Charles Frost of Johns Island, South Carolina, were tied for second. Sturgeon had a 69 at Wissahickon, the site of the final two rounds, and Frost shot a 67 at Militia Hill.
The low 20 scorers will earn spots in August in the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.
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