Hebert Takes Lead In Michigan PGA Professional Championship

Eight-Time Winner Scott Hebert Takes Lead in Michigan PGA Professional Championship

   BENTON HARBOR – Record eight-time champion Scott Hebert, 55 years-young and four years removed from heart surgery, shot a 4-under 67 Tuesday and had the lead with one round remaining in the 103rd Michigan PGA Professional Championship at Harbor Shores Resort.

   The Michigan Golf Hall of Fame member who is the director of golf at Traverse City Golf & Country Club, had a one-shot lead on Tim Pearce of Birmingham Country Club, who closed with a 70 for 139.

  “Nine wins in this would be cool, but you know this one would be very cool because it has been a long time,” he said of last winning the championship for Michigan Section PGA members in 2016.

  “A lot has happened since then and I thought about that when I was watching the Little League World Series. They talked about a first baseman from the Southeast, the Florida team, who just had open-heart surgery. And you know, they talked about this kid coming back and how he was beating stuff. People can come back from that stuff. I’ve played some good golf since then, but this would be cool if I can get it through one more round.”

  Pearce, who finished with bogeys on the final two holes, is looming and Benny Cook of Quail Ridge Golf Club in Ada, the champion in 2021 and 2022, stayed close with a 72 for 141, just three shots behind Hebert.

  Hebert lamented a few missed putts for birdies but said a par-save at the par 5 No. 14 hole saved the round.

  “That kind of kept it going,” he said. “I drove into a divot, and it wasn’t a bad one, but I hit it over the green 40 yards. That I was able to get it up and down from there really kept me going.”

  Pearce said he was proud of himself for staying in the mix in the second round.

  “I hit two balls out (in penalty areas) and still made bogeys on both, and I made enough birdies to hang in there,” he said. “I wish I could have finished better, but those are two really hard holes. But yes, here I am again. I think this is the fifth year in a row that I’ve been in the last few groups with a chance, and I really want to get this one done. Tomorrow will be fun. That’s the way I’m going in.”

  The 36-hole cut fell at 165 in the tough windy conditions, and 61 players will tee it up in the final round Wednesday. The leaders will tee off at 11:20 a.m.

  The winner will take home this year’s first-place check of $7,800 from a $58,500 purse, have their name added to the historic Gilbert A. Currie Trophy and be awarded a sponsor’s exemption into the PGA Tour’s 2025 Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club.

  In addition, there will be multiple “winners” of sorts because the low nine golfers at the end of the championship, not including Hebert and five-time champion Jeff Roth of BOYNE Golf Academy, who are already exempt, will earn playing spots in the 2025 PGA Professional National Championship next April at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

  The low 20 finishers from that championship move on to Quail Hollow to play with the best players in the world at the 105th PGA Championship.

   Following Hebert, Pearce and Cook Tuesday were Patrick Wilkes-Krier and Ryan Lenahan, who both teach at Kendall Academy at Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti.

  Wilkes-Krier shot a 69, and Lenahan checked in with a 71 and were tied at 143.

  Julian Thompson of Plum Hollow Country Club shot 73 for 144 and was in sixth place.

  Rounding out the top 10 were 2018 champion Lee Houtteman of Leland Country Club, who shot 71 for 145, Cody Haughton of Red Run Golf Club in Royal Oak, who shot 73 for 145, 2015 champion Dan Urban of Gull Lake Country Club, who shot 73 for 148 and Adam Schumacher of nearby Point O’Woods Golf & Country Club, who shot 73 for 148.

SPONSORS: This year’s presenting sponsors are Club Car, Corebridge Financial and Rolex. Supporting partners are Gallagher, the Golf Channel and the PGA Tour. Supporting sponsors are Titleist/Footjoy, Callaway Golf, Nike and TaylorMade.

RESULTS: See michiganpga.com  More information on Harbor Shores is available at harborshoresresort.com.