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Mike Small (University of Illinois) won the 2026 Illinois Senior Open presented by Troon on Tuesday with a two-day total of 3-under-par 141 at Hawthorn Woods Country Club. With the victory, Small further cemented his legacy in Illinois golf, capturing his fourth Illinois Senior Open title and his fourth victory in the championship over the last five years.
“It’s fun to compete. It’s fun to compete against the best players over 50 in the state of Illinois,” said Small. “There are a lot of great amateurs in this state and a lot of great fellow PGA Professionals. Just coming out here and competing is enjoyable for us. It’s a distraction from life and our jobs, and it’s an opportunity to test yourself. It’s not always pleasant, and it’s not always perfect out there. There’s some anxiety when you aren’t playing as well as you’d like, but when you hit good shots and execute, it feels really good.”
The win places Small atop the record book at yet another Illinois PGA major championship. Already the winningest player in Illinois PGA Professional Championship history with 15 titles, Small now ties PGA Member Mike Harrigan for the most Illinois Senior Open victories with four. Small also ranks second all-time in Illinois PGA Senior Professional Championship victories with seven, trailing only Gary Groh's 10 titles.
Vince India (North Shore Country Club) claimed the 2026 Illinois PGA Assistant Championship at Bryn Mawr Country Club after posting a 36-hole total of 18-under-par 126. The victory earns India a spot in the 50th Assistant PGA Professional Championship, scheduled for Nov. 12-15, 2026, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
“That was a lot of fun. It’s nice to play competitive golf here and there,” said India. “None of us get to play that often. It’s funny, the less golf I play, the more I appreciate it and the more fun I have. It was nice to play good golf for the first time in a long time. Anytime I have an opportunity to compete, I feel like I’m having a good time.”
India, who became a PGA of America Associate in March, had previously spent time competing on the Korn Ferry Tour, with his most recent start coming in 2023. During this time, India made 176 Korn Ferry Tour starts, recording eight top-10 finishes. A two-time Illinois Open Champion (2018, 2023), India claims his first career Illinois PGA victory and first Illinois PGA Assistant Major Championship title.
The final qualifying position came down to a playoff between Crimson Callahan of Conway Farms Golf Club and the defending Illinois PGA Assistant Champion, Kyle Donovan of Oak Park Country Club. The pair finished tied for third at 5-under-par 139 before returning to the first hole for a sudden-death playoff. Callahan birdied the opening playoff hole to claim the Illinois PGA’s final qualifying spot.
Vince India, Matthew Rion and Crimson Callahan will represent the Illinois PGA at the 50th Assistant PGA Professional Championship on Nov. 12-15, 2026, at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.