April 10, 2005

WARREN, PA — A year ago, Steve Hoden birdied three times in the final round to win the 2004 Carl Spackler Open Championship.  The way Hoden sees it now, though, he may have learned it last year, is that you must take advantage when given the opportunity.

That is exactly what Steve plans to do in the 2005 On Tour Championship.  Hoden opened the season with 46 and 59 points to nearly ensure him first place after his next round.  Hoden needs 33 points to take the lead in the national season-long tournament.

"He is really playing some good golf and he was being very aggressive, and that?s what you have to do," says Randon Mineweaser.  "He is simply being rewarded for great shots."

Hoden fired 3 birdies at Jackson Valley on Saturday.  Great shots on #1, #14, and #15 set it all up.  Some skeptics say it is time to be a real man and move back to the tips.

Hoden isn't satisfied.  "Going out and trying to hold onto a lead isn?t going to do it," says Hoden.  "I must keep the pace throughout the year.  That?s what you have to do in big tournaments. If you look in years past, you watch the guys who won -- they won in October and November.

Although not in the same year, Hoden could become the first player ever to win the Golden Jacket and On Tour Championship back to back.

Looming large in his rear-view mirror, though, will be Jay Dilks, Chris Hays, and Matthew Munksgard, who continue to surge.

The On Tour Championship is fully underway with 14 players on the leaderboard.  Greg Long and Jay Dilks recently entered the leaderboard.  An expected 70 players will join the tournament over the next six months.