Winning the 59th Illinois Open Championship would be not small feat for Blake Biddle of St. Charles.

But he was in good position as he prepared to tee off in Wednesday’s final round at 10 a.m. at Hawthorn (Ill.) Woods Country Club.

The 16-year-old junior at Wheaton Academy is chasing University of Illinois men’s golf coach Mike Small, who has won the last three Illinois Open titles and four total. After the first two rounds, Biddle is in a three-way tie for second place, two strokes behind Small.

Biddle shot a 1-over-par 72 on Tuesday, including back-to-back birdies surrounded by three bogeys on par 3s.

Biddle, the youngest player in the field, is aiming to become the first amateur to win the tournament since Curtis Malm, 30, of Aurora in 2000.

In the first round Monday, Biddle carded a four-under-par 67, good for a share of the lead and a one-stroke advantage along with Malm. Malm shot a 3-over-par 74 Tuesday to trail the leader by four strokes.

Biddle hit 12 of 14 fairways and carded six birdies and an eagle as part of his opening round.