Ryan Benzel's attempt to play in three PGA Championships in a row is still alive.

Benzel, the Northwest's top club professional from Seattle, shot a 3-over-par 74 Monday, and made the cut at the PGA Professional National Championship in Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M.

Currently, he sits at 1-over 143, and is tied for 46th. The top 70 and ties in the 309-golfer field made the cut for the final two rounds, which will be played at Twin Warriors Golf Club.

In 2007, Benzel finished tied for second, and last season, he was tied for fifth in this tournament. The top 20 in this event will play at the PGA Championship in Hazeltine National Golf Club in August.

The legend of this tournament continues to grow, and this 16th Sahalee Players Championship will boast as strong a field as it has ever showcased.

Nick Taylor, the top-ranked amateur and recent U.S. Open finisher from the University of Washington, will tee it up. So will USC's Matthew Giles, who shared the co-Pacific-10 Conference player of the year honors with Taylor, and defending Sahalee champion Trent Whitekiller, of Oklahoma State.

Locally, reigning U.S. Junior Amateur champion Cameron Peck, of Lacey, and University Place's Andrew Putnam, who plays at Pepperdine, are among the 66 amateurs playing.

16th SAHALEE PLAYERS CHAMPIONSHIP
When: July 1-3
Where: Sahalee Country Club, Sammamish
Website: www.sahaleeplayerschampionship.com