Author: Jesse Dodson
Every golfer grows up dreaming of playing in golf’s four major championships. Whether it’s the Masters, the U.S. Open, British Open or next week’s PGA Championship, there’s always been a 10-foot birdie putt on the local practice putting green to win it.
For Glenwild Golf Club Director of Instruction Craig Hocknull, he’s given himself that opportunity to compete in a major championship in two consecutive years through qualifying for the PGA Championship in the PGA Professional Championship on April 28-May 1st.
“It’s validation for me knowing that my game is good enough to qualify for last year’s PGA Championship and now this year’s,” Hocknull said.
Hocknull, who separates his time between the Utah Section PGA and Southwest Section PGA successfully claimed his spot at Bethpage Black by finishing tied for 17th in the 2019 PGA Professional Championship with scores of (+2) 72-73-71-73.
“I’ve never played Bethpage Black, or really anywhere in the area,” Hocknull said. “But I’ve been doing a lot of research on it to better prepare myself to play. Last year was an amazing experience, but I felt a little like a fish out of water with the huge crowds and navigating myself in and around Bellerive. This year I think I’ll feel a little more comfortable with navigating my way around the tournament.”
Last year Hocknull shot 72-73 to miss the cut by a mere couple shots. This year, the expectations are a little different:
“My expectations are to obviously play well enough to make the cut and play the weekend. It’s an incredible opportunity to have the chance to tee it up with the world’s best.”
The 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black will be played May 16-19 and can be watched on CBS, TNT and online at PGA.com. We wish Craig the best of luck and will be following along here at the Utah Section.
Photo curtesy of the PGA of America.