Jason Hrynkiw, PGA, opened the 75th KPGA Professional Championship with a 4-under 68 at Heritage Hill Golf Club, taking the outright lead after the first round of the Section’s premier annual event.
Hrynkiw, of Harmony Landing Country Club, carded a bogey-free back nine to close out his round and separate himself from the field by a single stroke. His round set the pace on a day that saw a tightly bunched leaderboard take shape at the top.
Brandon Sanner, PGA, of Golf Headquarters sits alone in second place after a 3-under 69, putting himself well within striking distance heading into Tuesday’s final round.
A trio of players are tied for third at 2-under 70, setting up a crowded chase for the top of the leaderboard. Two time champion Andrew Stephens, PGA, of The Stephens Golf Center, Nathan Hincks, PGA, of The Club at Olde Stone, and 2022 champion Jesse Massie, PGA, of Fleur-de-Lis – Persimmon Ridge Golf Club all posted matching rounds to stay firmly in contention.
Five players sit tied for sixth at even par, headlined by a trio of past KPGA Professional Championship winners looking to reclaim the title. Grover Justice, PGA, of Bluegrass Golf Academy, Daniel Iceman, PGA, of Weissinger Hills Golf Course, and Blake Watts, PGA, of Hurstbourne Country Club, all posted rounds of even-par 72, bringing plenty of championship experience to the back half of the leaderboard heading into Tuesday.
With five players separated by just two strokes at the top of the leaderboard, Tuesday’s final round is shaping up to be a tight battle for the KPGA Professional Championship title along with a battle for 4 qualifying spots on the line for the PGA Professional Championship in April 2027 at Streamsong Golf Resort. Heritage Hill Golf Club in Shepherdsville has provided a stern but fair test for the Section’s PGA Professionals this week, and the group at the top will need to bring their best golf again to close out the tournament.
The KPGA Professional Championship remains the Section’s premier annual event, bringing together the top PGA Professionals from across Kentucky to compete for the title. This year’s 75th playing continues that tradition at Heritage Hill, with the second and final round set for Tuesday.
Tuesday’s tee times can be found here, and the full live leaderboard is available here.
The KPGA thanks Heritage Hill Golf Club for hosting the 2026 KPGA Professional Championship.
We are proud to recognize our national sponsors and partners:
- Presenting Sponsors: Club Car, Corebridge Financial, Rolex
- Supporting Partners: Gallagher, Golf Channel, PGA TOUR, ShipSticks
- Supporting Sponsors: Titleist/FootJoy, Callaway, Nike, TaylorMade
About the KPGA
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. The KPGA is a founding member of Golf House Kentucky, the umbrella organization that manages Kentucky’s Family of Golf Organizations.