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SPRINGFIELD — Kyle Sine answered a phone call Sunday evening, July 13, from someone who knows a little something about winning the Springfield News-Sun/National Trail Parks and Recreation District Men's City Amateur.

His uncle Josh Sine, a five-time champion who is the half brother of Kyle's dad Randy, called Kyle with congratulations on his play in the first two rounds.

"He told me I was doing a good job and he likes to see me playing well," Kyle said Wednesday.

Kyle shot a 68-69—137 (7-under) in last weekend's first two rounds. He leads 14-year-old Wayne High School freshman Michael Bernard and former Wittenberg University golfer Andy Bonar by one shot entering the third round today at Snyder Park.

Those three will be paired with Zach Fowler, who's four shots back of Sine, in the final group. They tee off today, July 19, on No. 1 at 8:50 a.m.

"I'm pretty comfortable with where I am," said Kyle, a 19-year-old Malone College sophomore. "I'd rather be out setting the pace than having people come after me."

Five other golfers are within 10 shots of the lead: Joe McGeean (142), eight-time champ Dan Schuler (145), 2005 champ Joe Turney (145), Ben Martin (146) and Kevin Kite (147).

This is Sine's fourth appearance in the City Am. Two years ago, he tied for 10th. Last year, he finished 21st.

With his first year at Malone College behind him, Sine feels like a much improved player. He said he didn't play well in his freshman season, but he gained experience and started to realize he has the ability to shoot the same scores as his college competitors.

He said winning the City Am would help him when the college golf season resumes in the fall.

"It would be a huge confidence booster," Sine said.