August 27, 2007

RUSSELL, PA — Kyle Marti grabbed the lead in the Virtual Tournament on Saturday with pressure to hold it starting as soon as he got there. He takes the slim lead by 0.3 points per round over John McAninch with 4 months left in the season-long tournament.

He collected 73 points at his latest round on Saturday at the private Conewango Country Club in Russell, PA. The round included zero big numbers with double bogey as his high score.

"I got new clubs in May," said Marti to questions in the clubhouse about his new found status on top. "I am finally hitting driver off the tee and distance has its rewards."

Kyle has dropped 10 strokes off his game since the days of 30 and sometimes 40-over par per round.

"In the past, I would lose 10-15 strokes a round from bad tee shots. A new fitness regimine has also increased my strength and endurance. It is nice to see the hard work result in something tangible like the lead in the prestigious online tournament."

Marti has particularly struggled with par 3's and par 5's. This is where things had tended over the years to get out of hand.

"My play on the short and long holes have improved dramatically due to better chipping and ability to hit the long irons consistently. My 5-iron flies 180 yards, which has become my life raft."

Marti added, "You know... Keeping the ball in play is very underrated for a hacker. Hitting the ball straight has resulted in less penalty strokes, which adds up out there."

Kyle Marti holds first position with 73.5 points per round. His tournament lead is expected to increase in the next week or so when his 10th oldest round of 61 points from June 24 gets replaced.