Parked on the far end of the TPC Twin Cities driving range Monday morning, Mike Small hit shot after shot mostly uninterrupted. That is until five-time PGA Tour Champions winner Russ Cochran made a point to walk down to Small's hitting area and offer a welcome and a fist bump.

"I know all these guys," Small said. "We've lost touch over the years, but these are my friends from back in the day. It's going to be fun to reminisce."

In golf circles these days Small is best known as the head coach of an Illinois men's golf team that has finished in the nation's top five each of the past four seasons. The Illini lost to eventual champion Oregon in the national match-play semifinals this spring.

But this week at the 3M Championship in Blaine, Small is on the other side of the golf bag. He'll be a player, not a coach. Small received one of five sponsor's exemptions into the tournament.

"I'm very appreciative of this," he said. "I know it's a quality field, and they have to get 100 letters from guys wanting to play. You wish you didn't have to write them but you are appreciative when you get in. And you want to go out there and reciprocate with some good golf."

Small found limited success as a pro. He qualified for three U.S. Opens and eight PGA Championships, but made just three cuts. He had his PGA Tour card in 1998, making eight cuts in 26 events.

Small took over at Illinois two years later and this will be the second event he's played on the Champions Tour since turning 50 in March.

He's also qualified for next week's U.S. Senior Open in Ohio.

"I'm a coach, and I want to continue to coach," Small said. "But I've also had some great runs over the years, and I want to get out and play when I can. It helps my sanity."

Small keeps in close contact with his Illini and former players competing professionally around the globe; several have texted already this week to wish him well in Blaine. And while he's at the 3M, Small wants to put on a good show for anyone who might be watching.

"If I didn't think I could add something, I wouldn't come play," he said. "I'm not here to wave to the crowd and have an OK week.

"I don't want to be a token exemption."

Monday's pro-am round was Small's first time seeing the TPC Twin Cities course. He brought along Gophers men's golf coach John Carlson, a rival happy to lend some hometown advice.

"I love the people here, I love the area," Small said. "It's Big Ten country, you know?"

They're in

Glen Day shot a 7-under 64 at Victory Links in Blaine to win the 3M Championship Monday qualifier. Clark Dennis, Jean Francois Remesy and Steve Schneiter each shot 67s to also qualify, and John Inman (68) won a four-way playoff for the final spot.