SANTA ANA PUEBLO, N.M. ? After firing a two-under 69 in the fourth round of the PGA Professional National Championship tournament at the Twin Warriors Golf Club at Santa Ana Pueblo, N.M., former Idaho golfer Ryan Benzel qualified for his third straight PGA Championship.

Benzel recovered from a three-over 74 on the second day of the championship to go six-under over the next two rounds and finish in a fourth-place tie with a five-under 279.

The PGA Championship reserves 20 spots for PGA professionals, based upon the national championship meet. Benzel, who represents Battle Creek Golf Course of Tulalip, Wash., tied for second at the PGA Professional National Championship in 2007 and tied for fourth in 2008.

Benzel will try to improve on his previous best finish of 71st at the 2007 PGA Championship. In that season, he was one of only two PGA professionals to make the 36-hole cut. In 2008, he finished in a tie for 125th.

The 91st PGA Championship will be contested at Hazeltine National Golf Club at Chaska, Minn., on August 13-16.