LOUISVILLE, KY (August 18, 2025) – Day one of the 74th Kentucky PGA Professional Championship at Big Spring Country Club has successfully wrapped. The 36-hole, individual stroke play format made for a quick and competitive day on the course, with strong play across the field and several contenders positioning themselves early for a run at the title.

2012 champion John Bachman, PGA, set the pace in round one with a 69 (-3), which included five birdies on the day on 1, 3, 7, 10, and 16. Just one shot back after opening rounds of 70 (-2), are Grover Justice, PGA, Colby Wollitz, PGA, Daniel Iceman, PGA, Zach Haynes, PGA, and Andrew Stephens, PGA. Bachman started his day off strong with a birdie on hole one and kept the momentum throughout the rest of his round to secure the lead. Justice, Wollitz, Iceman, Haynes, and Stephens kept it close from start to finish.   

Justice, Wollitz, Iceman, Haynes, and Stephens lead the way for the National Qualifier spots after round one at 2-under par. Just behind them are Daniel Soehren, PGA, (-1), Alex Harris, PGA (E), and John Mullendore, PGA (E). Justice, Iceman, and Stephens are no strangers to success, having previously earned the Professional Championship title in their respective years; Justice (2020), Iceman (2024), and Stephens (2018, 2021).

The final round will conclude, Tuesday, August 19th, with groups teeing off at 8:00 am.

Click here for the Photo Gallery.

Click here for the Leaderboard.

Click here to learn more about KPGA.

About the Kentucky PGA 

The Kentucky PGA (KPGA) is one of the 41 sections that comprise The PGA of America.  Formed in 1925, the Kentucky PGA has a professional membership of more than 350 men and women professionals across the Commonwealth of Kentucky, each of whom is dedicated to promoting the game in Kentucky.

The Kentucky PGA is dedicated to the promotion of the game of golf and providing ongoing education and professional development of Kentucky PGA Professionals.  Kentucky PGA Professionals are responsible for conducting a variety of golf-related functions, which include general management, golf instruction, tournament operations, golf shop merchandising, junior golf programs, golf club repair, and much more.  KPGA is a founding member of Golf House Kentucky, the umbrella organization that manages Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations.

The PGA of America is an organization made up of nearly 32,000 golf professionals, each of whom is dedicated to promoting the game. The PGA has the responsibility to impact the traditions and history of golf on the future caretakers of the game. The PGA of America, the Kentucky PGA, and its member golf professionals are recognized as the leaders in the world of golf today.