RENO, Nev. - Leo DiBenedetto of Rancho Cordova, Calif., flirted with perfection in his second game of singles, stringing 11 consecutive strikes before leaving the 6-10 combination for a 298 game at the USBC Open Championships.

The 36-year-old right-hander's near-perfect effort came between games of 247 and 184 for a 729 total at the National Bowling Stadium on Saturday. Matt Weggen of Muscatine, Iowa, leads Regular Singles with 826.

There have been 32 perfect games at this year's Open Championships, and while DiBenedetto did not add his name to the list, he will cherish the moment, which came on bowling's biggest stage.

"It's amazing," said DiBenedetto, who owns one Professional Bowlers Association regional title. "The conditions are tough. It almost felt like I had a little bit of hold the entire set until the third game. In the second game, I looked at my buddy and said I was either going to be close, or it was going to happen today. This is the biggest tournament of the year, and I'm glad my friend Dave Bolles was able to loan me the ball I used."

DiBenedetto understands the magnitude of the Open Championships and appreciates the experience of competing against the best bowlers from across the country.

"The conditions are tough, and you've got to be able to make good shots consistently throughout the event," said DiBenedetto, who made his fourth Open Championships appearance. "I also get to bowl with Larry Laub, who is a PBA Hall of Famer. When you look around, everyone is staring at Larry. It's a fun feeling to have the opportunity to be on the lanes with him. Plus, you get to see your pals that you don't see often."

DiBenedetto added 665 in doubles and 652 in team for a career-best, 2,046, all-events total. Weggen also leads Regular All-Events with 2,268. 

Click here for video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.