Randy Cochran of Chicago Heights Country Club couldn`t stop smiling Tuesday after opening a three-shot lead after two rounds in the Wilson-Illinois PGA Championship.
He conquered the difficult Kemper Lakes layout for a second straight day, firing a 1-under-par 71 for a 36-hole score of 3-under 141 heading into Wednesday`s final round.
”I played solid and I really had fun out there,” said Cochran, the only player in the field below par. ”I haven`t been in this position before and I`m going to try not to think about it. I just want to hit my shots and stay within my rhythm.”
Jim Sobb of Highland Park Country Club is alone in second place at 144 after a round of 73. Gary Hopkins (72) of Hilldale Country Club, Steve Dunning (74) of Oak Park Country Club and two-time champion Steve Benson (74) of Hillcrest are another shot back. Jim Urban of Green Acres Country Club, who shared the first-round lead with Cochran, ballooned to a 77 and is six back.
Urban didn`t have toruble with his swing, it was his new contact lenses.
”I knew there was a problem when I couldn`t see a ball land only 100 yards away,” he said. ”Sixty, 100 or 47 feet all looked the same to me.”
The field of 128 players was trimmed to 50 for the final round. The winner will pocket $3,500 from the $24,000 purse. The runner-up will take home $2,200.
