Burr Ridge Golfer in Title Hunt at Illinois Open

Bennett Blakeman of Burr Ridge fired a 4-under-par 67 Tuesday to move into sole possession of second place at the PGA’s Illinois Open championship.

Blakeman, 24, trailed Philip Arouca of Wilmette by four strokes entering Wednesday’s final round at Hawthorn Woods Country Club.

“I’d like to be less than four back, but I’m in the final group, so I’m right where I want to be,” Blakeman said. “I’ll be able to watch him every step of the way.”

Blakeman, a 2009 Illinois Wesleyan graduate, said he isn’t expecting a meltdown from Arouca, but he hopes to be in a position to capitalize on any opportunities.

“If he gets off to a rough start, then I’m in the ballgame right away,” Blakeman said. “If he plays well like he has been -- which I fully expect him to at this point -- then I need to go out and attack like I did today. I just need to make more of my birdie putts, which I didn’t do today.”

Blakeman recorded four birdies on the front nine to head into the turn at 31. He played even par golf on the back nine with a birdie on No. 13 but a bogey on the final hole.

Benefiting from experience

Blakeman has qualified twice for the U.S. Open, including this year‘s tournament at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. He missed the cut both times, but said he believes the experience he gained has helped his game.

“Anytime you can put yourself under that much pressure and have to try to rise to the moment, I don’t see how it could hurt,” he said. “I wish I had played better on both occasions, but they’re ultimately part of my process and they’re going to make me a better player in the long run.”

Blakeman spent the first half of 2011 playing in the Gateway Pro Tour in Arizona, working on his technique.

“I made a rather extensive swing change, and at this point it’s starting to get a little better every day, but not where I want,” he said.

While in Arizona he stayed at his family’s vacation home in Scottsdale. His father, Brad, sometimes serves as his caddie. His brother, Brenten, was his caddie at last year’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

Brenten, an amateur, also qualified for the Illinois Open this year. He was 6-over-par after two rounds of play, missing the cut by one stroke.