May 15, 2008

MARYSVILLE, OH — Rich Armstrong would love to say he saw this coming, but he's too honest.

He had never broken 88 in seven previous appearances in the 2008 Virtual Tournament, yet a 15-over 87 on Tuesday night would be a season low and lots of points.

"I have been playing 20 years," Armstrong said. "I guess I was due to shoot a great score just before entering a major championship. Too bad that I am a 'head case'."

Armstrong shot an impressive 10-over 82 at Bucks Ridge Golf Club on Tuesday worth 74 points. Was he shocked to score so many points?

"Pretty much," Rich said. "You have to go by the track record, and on this golf course, mine stinks."

Perhaps it is with such self-deprecating humor that Armstrong appeared so immune to the mounting pressure and a course that continued to get tougher in cool, blustery conditions. He answered hole after hole, but crapped the bed down the stretch shooting 4-over on the final two holes.

"Heartbreaking," says Chris Philipsen. "Folding under personal pressure is not a good place to be as a rookie."

Armstrong shot a 4-over 40 on the front nine. He was 2-over on the back nine before derailing at the 17th hole. The 479-yard par-5 felt like a 646-yard par-5.

"I'm a little bit disappointed because I feel like a 'head case' down the stretch. The entire experience felt like a 'Matt Pritchard back nine meltdown.'"

This is the 18th best player in the 2008 Virtual Tournament, which turns 42 years old next week. A business partner who is doing everything he can to get ahead. He has an endorsement cap deal with Wendy's, Inc. Even in 90-degree weather, he keeps his shirt buttoned to the top because "Have you seen my swing? I have no shoulders."

Armstrong holds 18th position with Joe Butkus of Glen Allen, VA. Rich continues to slip down the Leaderboard with 57.3 points per round.

Don Creighton leads the 2008 Virtual Tournament with 70.2 points per round. He has a 13.1 points per round lead over Rich.