ANTHONY SIMONSEN WINS SECOND USBC MASTERS TITLE AT 2022 EVENT
LAS VEGAS – Anthony Simonsen of Las Vegas continues to rewrite the bowling record book, and he added another chapter Sunday as he claimed his fourth major championship and second win at the United States Bowling Congress Masters.
The 25-year-old two-hander recorded the win at the 2022 event with a strike and eight pins in his final frame. He defeated USBC and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Norm Duke of Clermont, Florida, 219-216.
The win Sunday at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino netted Simonsen his second $100,000 top prize in less than two months. He won the U.S. Open in February. Duke collected $50,000 for the runner-up finish.
The championship round of the 2022 USBC Masters was broadcast live on FOX.
Simonsen’s first win at the Masters came in 2016 and helped him become the youngest bowler in history to win a major at 19 years and 39 days old.
His wins at the 2019 PBA Players Championship and 2022 U.S. Open also set the mark for youngest to win two and three majors, respectively, and he added another record Sunday as the youngest to four at 25 years and 87 days old.
He’s now just one of nine players to win the Masters twice, and the victory marked his 10th PBA Tour title. He’s also the first player to win both the Masters and U.S. Open during the same season since USBC and PBA Hall of Famer Mike Aulby accomplished the feat in 1989.
“It’s one of those things where I just like going out and bowling,” Simonsen said. “I didn’t have any expectations for the career. It was just something I wanted to do for a long time, because I grew up watching them. It’s kind of wild how quickly it all has happened. Someone mentioned that it was six years ago when I won this event, and it doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. It’s been one heck of a ride, and I’m just trying to enjoy it.”
The title match Sunday saw Simonsen start with four consecutive strikes, before a 4-9 split in the fifth frame slowed him down. The open frame allowed Duke to sneak into the lead after he delivered a double in the fifth and sixth frames.
After converting a 4 pin in the ninth frame, Duke lost the chance to shut out Simonsen, who had rolled a strike in his foundation frame.
Duke spared a 10 pin and toppled nine pins on his fill ball in the 10th frame, giving Simonsen the opportunity to win if he was able to strike on his first delivery. He made the right adjustment after leaving a 4 pin on the right lane in the eighth frame and rolled the strike he needed. He secured the title with eight pins on his next shot.
“I made a pretty good shot on the right lane and left a 4 pin,” Simonsen said. “I was a little hesitant, because there were a couple lanes throughout the week that would get through the spot but wouldn’t come off it very well when you tried to throw it a little harder. Also this week, sometimes when you moved left, the ball hooked earlier, so I was on a real fine line. I decided to go ahead and just move one and made sure I used my legs.”
Duke, who earned the top seed for the stepladder after going undefeated in the event’s double-elimination bracket, also was looking to add another record to his legendary career on the lanes.
He was in search of his 41st PBA Tour title, eighth major and second win at the Masters after claiming the title in 1993.
The 58-year-old right-hander is the youngest bowler ever to win a PBA Tour title at the age of 18, and he would have become the oldest player to win a national tour title, major and the Masters with a victory Sunday.
USBC and PBA Hall of Famer John Handegard won the 1995 PBA Northwest Classic at the age of 57, and fellow hall of famer Ernie Schlegel captured the 1996 Masters title at 53 years old.
Simonsen and Duke have shared some parallels in their careers, even with the difference in ages. Both originally hailed from Texas and found early success on the PBA Tour at a young age. As Duke looks toward the end of his professional career, Simonsen has appreciated the mentorship provided by the hall of famer.
“Norm always has been respectful to me, and my mom and him were friends for a long time,” Simonsen said. “I think that’s where part of my love and appreciation stands with Norm. It’s been an absolute privilege to share the lanes with him. Norm’s a special one, and I don’t think there will be anybody who does it like him ever again.”
Simonsen started Sunday with a win in the semifinal against Brad Miller of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, 189-185, which included a clutch conversion of the 2-4-8-10 from Simonsen in the eighth frame.
Miller could have doubled in the 10th frame to force Simonsen to match him to advance, but he left a 2-8 combination on his second delivery. Simonsen rolled a strike and knocked over eight pins to move to the championship round.
Miller’s first match Sunday was not settled in 10 frames, as he and AJ Johnson of Oswego, Illinois, finished tied at 224.
Miller left a 4-10 split in his final frame and was unable to convert, giving Johnson the chance to record three strikes in the 10th frame to win by a single pin. Johnson rolled two strikes but left a 4 pin on his final shot.
They matched each other with eight pins on the first shot of the roll-off, and Miller posted a nine count after leaving a 2 pin on his second attempt. Johnson’s second shot missed the headpin to the right, leaving the 1-2-7 to end the roll-off.
Miller and Johnson both were searching for their first PBA Tour titles.
Johnson made his second championship-round appearance at the Masters after finishing as the runner-up at the 2015 event. He was the top seed as a senior at McKendree University during the appearance and lost to Australia’s Jason Belmonte in the title match.
Johnson won the opening match of the stepladder against Shawn Maldonado of Sugarland, Texas, 189-143. Both players struggled to find the pocket early, but Johnson jumped ahead with three consecutive strikes, starting in the seventh frame.
Maldonado is a two-time PBA Tour champion and was looking for his first major Sunday.
The 2022 Masters started Tuesday with the first of three qualifying rounds for the 414-player field. After 15 games over three days, the top 63 athletes, based on total pinfall, joined defending champion Thomas Larsen of Denmark in match play.
Simonsen was the qualifying leader after 15 games on the event’s 40-foot oil pattern.
Larsen lost his first two matches in the bracket and finished tied for 49th place.
All bracket matches leading up to the stepladder were three-game total-pinfall contests.
BowlTV.com provided livestream coverage of the 2022 Masters during qualifying and match play.
For more information on the USBC Masters, visit BOWL.com/Masters.
2022 USBC Masters
At Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas
Sunday’s Results
Final standings
1, Anthony Simonsen, Las Vegas, 408 (two games), $100,000.
2, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 216 (one game), $50,000.
3, Brad Miller, Lee’s Summit, Mo., 409 (two games), $25,000.
4, AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., 413 (two games), $15,000.
5, Shawn Maldonado, Sugarland, Texas, 143 (one game), $10,000.
Stepladder results
Match 1 – Johnson def. Maldonado, 189-143.
Match 2 – Miller def. Johnson, 224-224 (8-8, 9-7).
Semifinal – Simonsen def. Miller, 189-185.
Championship – Simonsen def. Duke, 219-216.
NORM DUKE IS TOP SEED FOR STEPLADDER AT 2022 USBC MASTERS
LAS VEGAS – United States Bowling Congress and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Norm Duke of Clermont, Florida, can see his legendary career come full circle after earning the top seed for the stepladder finals at the 2022 USBC Masters.
The 58-year-old right-hander went undefeated in match play at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino and secured his spot in the title match with a 666-644 victory Saturday over 2016 Masters champion Anthony Simonsen of Las Vegas. Simonsen, a three-time major winner, will be the No. 2 seed for the stepladder.
Duke and Simonsen will be joined on Sunday’s live FOX broadcast by No. 3 Brad Miller of Lee’s Summit, Missouri, No. 4 AJ Johnson of Oswego, Illinois, and No. 5 Shawn Maldonado of Sugarland, Texas.
The broadcast will be at 1 p.m. Eastern, and the winner will earn a $100,000 top prize and major title on the PBA Tour.
Duke averaged more than 224 in his six bracket victories on the way to the top seed. He is one win away from his 41st PBA Tour title, eighth major and second win at the Masters. He captured the title at the 1993 event.
In 1983, Duke became the youngest bowler ever to win a PBA Tour title at the age of 18. If he wins Sunday, he’ll become the oldest player to win a national tour title, major and the Masters.
USBC and PBA Hall of Famer John Handegard won the 1995 PBA Northwest Classic at the age of 57, and fellow hall of famer Ernie Schlegel captured the 1996 Masters title at 53 years old.
Duke has hinted that he may be coming toward the end of a career that has spanned nearly 40 years at the professional level, but he will be ready for the challenge of 10 more frames for the title Sunday.
“The fact that I think I have one more game for the rest of my life,” said Duke in an interview with BowlTV after earning the top seed. “Maybe I bowl more, you know, I’m not retiring. Maybe I decide to bowl more, but right now, I would very much like just to bowl one more game and to do myself proud, and then to thank the world of bowling.”
Simonsen became the youngest bowler to win a major when he captured his win at the 2016 Masters at 19 years and 39 days old. The 25-year-old two-hander also won majors at the 2019 PBA Players Championship and 2022 U.S. Open, and a victory Sunday would be his 10th career PBA Tour title.
Simonsen was the top qualifier for the double-elimination bracket at the 2022 Masters, averaging 220.6 for 15 games on the event’s 40-foot oil pattern.
Miller, Johnson and Maldonado earned their spots in the stepladder through the Elimination Bracket, advancing from the four-player shootout that determined the last three seeds.
Miller rolled a 676 series to lead the way, while Johnson and Maldonado advanced with sets of 597 and 591, respectively, and will meet in Sunday’s opening match. Brent Boho of Indianapolis finished with a 561 series and was eliminated, finishing in sixth place.
Miller and Johnson both are looking for their first PBA Tour titles.
Johnson is making his second championship-round appearance at the Masters after finishing as the runner-up at the 2015 event. He was the top seed as a senior at McKendree University during the appearance and lost to Australia’s Jason Belmonte in the title match, 202-157.
Maldonado is a two-time PBA Tour champion in search of his first major championship.
The 2022 Masters started Tuesday with the first of three qualifying rounds for the 414-player field. After 15 games over three days, the top 63 athletes, based on total pinfall, joined defending champion Thomas Larsen of Denmark in match play.
Larsen lost his first two matches in the bracket and finished tied for 49th place.
All bracket matches leading up to the stepladder were three-game total-pinfall contests. All matches on Sunday’s show will be one game.
For more information on the USBC Masters, visit BOWL.com/Masters.
2022 USBC Masters
At Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas
Saturday’s Results
MATCH PLAY
Double-elimination, three-game matches decided by total pinfall
ROUND 4 – WINNERS BRACKET
(Winners remain in Winners Bracket. Losers move to Elimination Bracket).
(1) Anthony Simonsen, Las Vegas, def. (24) Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Ariz., 657-604.
(4) Brent Boho, Indianapolis, def. (12) Martin Larsen, Sweden, 643-585.
(38) Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., def. (14) DJ Archer, Simpsonville, S.C., 686-599.
(18) Brad Miller, Lee’s Summit, Mo., def. (23) Parker Bohn III, Jackson, New Jersey, 587-542.
ROUND 6 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $3,200)
(28) Shawn Maldonado, Sugarland, Texas, def. (45) David Krol, Nixa, Mo., 628-462.
(5) Jason Belmonte, Australia, def. (25) Brady Stearns, St. Augusta, Minn., 686-548.
(2) EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind., def. (33) Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 638-588.
(11) AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., def. (50) Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 668-663.
ROUND 5 – WINNERS BRACKET
Simonsen def. Boho, 644-503.
Duke def. Miller, 629-544.
ROUND 7 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $4,275)
Maldonado def. Bohn, 624-607.
Belmonte def. Archer, 653-588.
Tackett def. Larsen, 627-604.
Johnson def. Butturff, 681-597.
ROUND 6 – WINNERS BRACKET
(Winner earns No. 1 seed for Sunday’s FOX finals; loser is No. 2 seed)
Duke def. Simonsen, 666-644.
ROUND 8 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $5,775)
Maldonado def. Belmonte, 633-541.
Johnson def. Tackett, 626-562.
ROUND 9 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Three highest scores advance to FOX finals, high score is No. 3 seed, second high is No. 4, third high is No. 5, lowest score is eliminated, earns $7,500).
Miller 676, Johnson 597, Maldonado 591, Boho 561.
BOHN AMONG UNDEFEATED PLAYERS AT 2022 USBC MASTERS
LAS VEGAS – Parker Bohn III of Jackson, New Jersey, has enjoyed watching the passion his children have developed for the sport of bowling while finding success on some of the biggest stages for young competitors.
While Justin, Brandon and Sydney Bohn all have grabbed the spotlight at national events in the past year, they also help to push their father to continue to compete at the level that has earned him induction to the United States Bowling Congress and Professional Bowlers Association Halls of Fame.
This week at the USBC Masters, the 58-year-old left-hander has put together a memorable run at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino and is one of eight players left in the Winners Bracket at the 2022 event.
Bohn, the 2001 Masters champion, collected three wins Friday and will return to the 70-lane venue Saturday at noon Eastern to face Brad Miller of Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
A total of 16 players remain in the double-elimination bracket at the 2022 event, including five past champions. Bohn is joined in the Winners Bracket by Jakob Butturff of Tempe, Arizona (2019), USBC and PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke of Clermont, Florida (1993), and Anthony Simonson of Las Vegas (2016), while four-time champion Jason Belmonte of Australia is in the Elimination Bracket.
Competition in the three-game total-pinfall matches will continue Saturday until the five players are determined for the stepladder finals. The stepladder will take place Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern and air live on FOX. The champion will earn a $100,000 top prize and major title on the PBA Tour.
Bohn recorded wins Friday against Matthew Anderson of Las Vegas (629-567), Chris Via of Blacklick, Ohio (624-572), and Brandon Novak of Chillicothe, Ohio (689-545).
“I’ll say it’s all going really well right now,” said Bohn, a 35-time PBA Tour champion. “The knee doesn’t hurt at all, the wrist doesn’t hurt at all and fortunately, I have somewhat of a vision of the lane. The lanes are very demanding, but it appears I have control of a lot of things.
“I’m going to rest and relax tonight, and I’m going to come back early in the morning and try to take off right where I left off. Hopefully, I can put a couple more matches under my belt.”
If Bohn is able to win his first two matches Saturday, he’ll be returning to the stepladder at the Masters for the first time since 2013. He has made five championship-round appearances at the event in his career.
Bohn is no stranger to the bright lights of television, but he recently was spotted off the approach and in the stands at a made-for-TV broadcast for some of the top USBC Collegiate programs, as Justin made his TV debut competing for top-ranked Wichita State.
Bohn also was able to cheer on Brandon and Sydney in the stepladder finals at the 2021 Junior Gold Championships. Brandon won his second Junior Gold title after collecting his first win in 2017, and Sydney placed third in her division.
“Their passion is overwhelming,” Bohn said. “Live it, eat it, breathe it was my motto when I grew up, and they certainly have not fallen far from that tree along the way. It’s just overwhelming when I look at the passion and drive all three of them have to try and become the best they can possibly be.”
The 2022 Masters kicked off Tuesday with more than 410 competitors bowling 15 games of qualifying over three days to determine the advancers to match play. The top 63 bowlers, based on total pinfall, joined defending champion Thomas Larsen of Denmark in the bracket.
Larsen lost his first two matches Friday and was eliminated in a tie for 49th place.
All rounds of qualifying and match play at the 2022 Masters are being broadcast by BowlTV and simulcast to FloBowling. Subscribe at BowlTV.com.
For more information on the USBC Masters, visit BOWL.com/Masters.
2022 USBC MASTERS
At Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas
Friday’s Results
MATCH PLAY
Double-elimination, three-game matches decided by total pinfall
ROUND 1
(Winners remain in Winners Bracket. Losers move to Elimination Bracket).
(1) Anthony Simonsen, Las Vegas, def. (64) Thomas Larsen, Denmark, 643-570.
(33) Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def. (32) Vincent Bellar, Chagrin, Ohio, 611-570.
(48) Sam Cooley, Australia, def. (17) Perry Crowell IV, St. Clair Shores, Mich., 699-695.
(16) Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., def. (49) AJ Chapman, Lewisville, Texas, 565-539.
(56) Nick Kruml, Downers Grove, Ill., def. (9) Matthew Zweig, Scottsdale, Ariz., 605-584.
(24) Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Ariz., def. (41) Andrew Hall, Westborough, Mass., 663-558.
(25) Brady Stearns, St. Augusta, Minn., def. (40) Anthony Bonnell, Baltimore, 595-572.
(8) Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., def. (57) Mitch Hupé, Canada, 686-656.
(60) Jesper Svennson, Sweden, def. (5) Jason Belmonte, Australia, 625-585.
(28) Shawn Maldonado, Sugarland, Texas, def. (37) Steve Novak, Louisville, Ky., 583-565.
(44) Cameron Foster, Eagle Mountain, Utah, def. (21) JR Raymond, Clinton Township, Mich., 668-613.
(12) Martin Larsen, Sweden, def. (53) Michael Patterson, Canton, Ga., 646-568.
(13) Clay Rees, Lehi, Utah, def. (52) Karl Wahlgren, Sweden, 638-593.
(45) David Krol, Nixa, Mo., def. (20) Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 573-535.
(29) Richard Teece, England, def. (36) Josh Blanchard, Mesa, Ariz., 598-555.
(4) Brent Boho, Indianapolis, def. (61) Manuel Otalora, Davie, Fla., 654-610.
(3) Mykel Holliman, Collierville, Tenn., def. (62) Bailey Mavrick, Fishers, Ind., 578-562.
(35) Wes Malott, Fort Wayne, Ind., def. (30) Osku Palermaa, Finland, 623-594.
(19) Jaime Gonzalez, Colombia, def. (46) Kristopher Prather, Romeoville, Ill., 624-560.
(14) DJ Archer, Simpsonville, S.C., def. (51) Kenny Ryan, Maitland, Fla., 717-577.
(11) AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., def. (54) Jake Peters, Henderson, Nev., 683-598.
(43) Justin O’Shaughnessy, Jackson, Mich., def. (22) Scott Halvarson, Bonney Lake, Wash., 570-542.
(38) Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., def. (27) Benjamin Martinez, Mexico, 695-679.
(6) Kevin McCune, Munster, Ind., def. (59) Joshua Lewis, Weaverville, N.C., 627-554.
(7) Brandon Novak, Chillicothe, Ohio, def. (58) Michael Davidson, Versailles, Ohio, 730-585.
(39) Patrick Hanrahan, Wichita, Kan., def. (26) Ryan Powers, Portage, Mich., 660-451.
(23) Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., def. (42) Matthew Anderson, Las Vegas, 629-567.
(10) Chris Via, Blacklick, Ohio, def. (55) Joshua McCandless, Midlothian, Va., 587-577.
(15) Andrew Anderson, Holly, Mich., def. (50) Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa., 745-638.
(18) Brad Miller, Lee’s Summit, Mo., def. (47) Zulmazran Zulkifli, United Kingdom, 561-544.
(31) Cody Shoemaker, Hanover, Pa., def. (34) Matthew Sanders, Evansville, Ind., 523-503.
(2) EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind., def. (63) Dino Castillo, Highland Village, Texas, 691-611.
ROUND 2 – WINNERS BRACKET
Simonsen def. Jones, 663-618.
Smallwood def. Cooley, 631-574.
Butturff def. Kruml, 791-607.
Stearns def. Rash, 667-606.
Maldonado def. Svensson, 653-522.
M. Larsen def. Foster, 600-543.
Krol def. Rees, 603-550.
Boho def. Teece, 677-591.
Malott def. Holliman, 617-505.
Archer def. Gonzalez, 594-487.
Johnson def. O’Shaughnessy, 651-605.
Duke def. McCune, 657-610.
B. Novak def. Hanrahan, 620-529.
Bohn def. Via, 624-572.
Miller def. A. Anderson, 681-614.
Tackett def. Shoemaker, 631-603.
ROUND 2 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $2,000)
Bellar def. T. Larsen, 666-645.
Hupé def. Bonnell, 664-503.
Chapman def. Crowell, 667-632.
Hall def. Zweig, 621-560.
Belmonte def. S. Novak, 688-601.
Otalora def. Blanchard, 571-563.
Raymond def. Patterson, 606-520.
Troup def. Wahlgren, 703-666.
Palermaa def. Mavrick, 570-516.
Martinez def. Lewis, 600-581.
Prather def. Ryan, 668-607.
Peters def. Halvarson, 680-620.
Powers def. Davidson, 620-597.
Sanders def. Castillo, 629-559.
M. Anderson def. McCandless, 639-556.
O’Neill def. Zulkifli, 647-602.
ROUND 3 – WINNERS BRACKET
Simonsen def. Smallwood, 664-629.
Butturff def. Stearns, 741-550.
M. Larsen def. Maldonado, 694-663.
Boho def. Krol, 576-500.
Archer def. Malott, 711-684.
Duke def. Johnson, 708-640.
Bohn def. B. Novak, 689-545.
Miller def. Tackett, 609-577.
ROUND 3 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $2,100)
Bellar def. Gonzalez, 649-561.
Hupé def. O’Shaughnessy, 618-601.
Chapman def. Holliman, 637-599.
McCune def. Hall, 621-603.
Belmonte def. Via, 584-505.
A. Anderson def. Otalora, 659-583.
Hanrahan def. Raymond, 654-652.
Shoemaker, def. Troup, 634-583.
Cooley def. Palermaa, 583-474.
Kruml def. Martinez, 638-553.
Jones def. Prather, 755-727.
Peters def. Rash, 731-686.
Powers def. Foster, 643-552.
Sanders def. Rees, 609-559.
Svensson def. M. Anderson, 629-544.
O’Neill def. Teece, 630-623.
ROUND 4 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $2,300)
Hupé def. Bellar, 657-597.
Chapman def. McCune, 729-652.
Belmonte def. A. Anderson, 634-555.
Hanrahan def. Troup, 654-572.
Kruml def. Cooley, 646-568.
Jones def. Peters, 546-514.
Powers def. Sanders, 578-442.
O’Neill def. Svensson, 705-543.
ROUND 5 – ELIMINATION BRACKET
(Losers eliminated, earn $2,600)
Maldonado def. Hupe, 583-555.
Krol def. Chapman, 634-620.
Belmonte def. Smallwood, 594-535.
Stearns def. Hanrahan, 641-576.
Tackett def. Kruml, 593-591.
Jones def. B. Novak, 670-633.
Johnson def. Powers, 649-643.
O’Neill def. Malott, 589-586.
SIMONSEN LEADS FIELD TO MATCH PLAY AT 2022 USBC MASTERS
LAS VEGAS – Three-time major champion Anthony Simonsen of Las Vegas has earned the top seed for the 64-player double-elimination bracket at the 2022 United States Bowling Congress Masters.
The 25-year-old two-hander rolled games of 246, 213, 257, 232 and 213 on Thursday at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino for a 1,161 set to lead qualifying with a 15-game total of 3,309, a 220.6 average.
Simonsen is joined in the top five by EJ Tackett of Bluffton, Indiana (3,288), Mykel Holliman of Collierville, Tennessee (3,285), Brent Boho of Indianapolis (3,243) and four-time USBC Masters champion Jason Belmonte of Australia (3,241).
Competitors in the 414-player field bowled 15 games of qualifying over three days, which included two blocks on the fresh 40-foot lane condition and one squad on the burn.
The top 63 players, based on total pinfall, advanced to match play, while Denmark’s Thomas Larsen was guaranteed a spot in the bracket as the defending champion.
Larsen could have improved his seeding through qualifying, but he finished Thursday’s final round in 160th place with a 2,929 total. He will be the No. 64 seed heading in to match play starting Friday at noon Eastern and face Simonsen in the opening round.
The final spot from qualifying went to Dino Castillo of Highland Village, Texas. Castillo finished in 63rd place with a 3,053 total (203.53 average) and will take on Tackett in Friday’s opening round.
Simonsen became the youngest major champion when he won the 2016 Masters at 19 years and 39 days old, and he recorded his second major win at the 2019 Professional Bowlers Association Players Championship.
His third major came in February at the U.S. Open, when he defeated Tackett in the title match, 232-165.
The bracket at the 2022 Masters will feature eight past champions, including Simonsen, Belmonte and Larsen.
Andrew Anderson of Holly, Michigan (2018), Parker Bohn III of Jackson, New Jersey (2001), Jakob Butturff of Tempe, Arizona (2019), Norm Duke of Clermont, Florida (1993), and Sean Rash of Montgomery, Illinois (2007), all advanced to match play.
Butturff defeated Holliman in the title match of the 2019 Masters for his first major title, which also was held at the Gold Coast Bowling Center.
All bracket matches leading up to the stepladder finals will feature a three-game total-pinfall format. Five players will advance from the bracket to the stepladder, which will air live Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern on FOX. The winner will take home the $100,000 top prize and major title on the PBA Tour.
All rounds of competition prior to the stepladder will be broadcast live by BowlTV and simulcast to FloBowling. Subscribe at BowlTV.com.
For more information on the USBC Masters, visit BOWL.com/Masters.
2022 USBC MASTERS
At Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas
Thursday’s Results
QUALIFYING – ROUND 3
(15 games – top 100)
1, Anthony Simonsen, Las Vegas, 3,309. 2, EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind., 3,288. 3, Mykel Holliman, Collierville, Tenn., 3,285. 4, Brent Boho, Indianapolis, 3,243. 5, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 3,241. 6, Kevin McCune, Munster, Ind., 3,238.
7, Brandon Novak, Chillicothe, Ohio, 3,225. 8, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 3,210. 9, Matthew Zweig, Scottsdale, Ariz., 3,200. 10, Chris Via, Blacklick, Ohio, 3,193. 11, AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., 3,188. 12, Martin Larsen, Sweden, 3,173.
13, Clay Rees, Lehi, Utah, 3,167. 14, DJ Archer, Simpsonville, S.C., 3,164. 15, Andrew Anderson, Holly, Mich., 3,159. 16, Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 3,155. 17, Perry Crowell IV, St. Clair Shores, Mich., 3,154. 18, Brad Miller, Lee’s Summit, Mo., 3,148.
19(tie), Jaime Gonzalez, Colombia, and Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 3,147. 21, JR Raymond, Clinton Township, Mich., 3,135. 22, Scott Halvarson (a), Bonney Lake, Wash., 3,134. 23, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 3,132. 24, Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Ariz., 3,125.
25, Brady Stearns, St. Augusta, Minn., 3,119. 26, Ryan Powers (a), Portage, Mich., 3,116. 27, Benjamin Martinez, Mexico, 3,112. 28, Shawn Maldonado, Sugarland, Texas, 3,110. 29(tie), Richard Teece, England, and Osku Palermaa, Finland, 3,109.
31(tie), Vincent Bellar (a), Chagrin, Ohio, and Cody Shoemaker, Hanover, Pa., 3,108. 33, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 3,107. 34, Matthew Sanders, Evansville, Ind., 3,104. 35, Wes Malott, Fort Wayne, Ind., 3,093. 36, Josh Blanchard (a), Mesa, Ariz., 3,092.
37, Steve Novak (a), Louisville, Ky., 3,090. 38, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 3,088. 39, Patrick Hanrahan, Wichita, Kan., 3,087. 40, Anthony Bonnell (a), Baltimore, 3,084. 41, Andrew Hall, Westborough, Mass., 3,083. 42, Matthew Anderson (a), Las Vegas, 3,082.
43, Justin O’Shaughnessy, Jackson, Mich., 3,081. 44, Cameron Foster (a), Eagle Mountain, Utah, 3,080. 45(tie), Kristopher Prather, Romeoville, Ill., and David Krol, Nixa, Mo., 3,079. 47, Zulmazran Zulkifli, United Kingdom, 3,078. 48, Sam Cooley, Australia, 3,077.
49(tie), Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa., and AJ Chapman, Lewisville, Texas, 3,075. 51(tie), Kenny Ryan, Maitland, Fla., and Karl Wahlgren, Sweden, 3,072. 53, Michael Patterson, Canton, Ga., 3,071. 54, Jake Peters, Henderson, Nev., 3,067.
55, Joshua McCandless (a), Midlothian, Va., 3,066. 56, Nick Kruml, Downers Grove, Ill., 3,065. 57, Mitch Hupé, Canada, 3,064. 58, Michael Davidson, Versailles, Ohio, 3,063. 59(tie), Joshua Lewis, Weaverville, N.C., and Jesper Svensson, Sweden, 3,060.
61, Manuel Otalora (a), Davie, Fla., 3,059. 62, Bailey Mavrick, Fishers, Ind., 3,055. 63, Dino Castillo, Highland Village, Texas, 3,053. 64, Thomas Larsen, Denmark, 2,929 (defending champion).
DID NOT ADVANCE
65, Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 3,050, $2,000. 66, Ryan Ciminelli, Monroe, N.C., 3,048, $2,000. 67, Keven Williams, Battlefield, Mo., 3,043, $1,730.
68, Bryan Hahlen, Greenwood, S.C., 3,041, $1,710. 69, Stuart Williams, Pflugerville, Texas, 3,040, $1,690. 70, Nick Borgaro (a), Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 3,038, $1,670. 71, Paul Smith, Madison, Conn., 3,037, $1,650. 72(tie), Dominic Barrett, England, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., and Joseph Ramsdell, Canaan, Maine, 3,035, $1,610.
75, Fero Williams, Adelphi, Md., 3,033, $1,570. 76, Nathan Bohr, Round Rock, Texas, 3,031, $1,550. 77(tie), Jeffrey Campbell, Sioux Falls, S.D., and Shawn Horenberger (a), Meridian, Idaho, 3,026, $1,535. 79, Steve Kloempken (a), Pleasant View, Utah, 3,024, $1,520.
80, Kyle Sherman, O’Fallon, Mo., 3,021, $1,510. 81, Lanndyn Carnate, Modesto, Calif., 3,019, $1,500. 82, George Gohagan III, Dayton, Ohio, 3,016, $1,490. 83, Brandon Curtis (a), Manson, N.C., 3,015, $1,480. 84(tie), Justin Knowles, Okemos, Mich., and Christopher Bédard-Chagnon, Canada, 3,014, $1,465.
86, Toby Sambueno, Las Vegas, 3,012, $1,450. 87, Brandon Runk, Milton, Pa., 3,008, $1,440. 88, Petey Vergos, Apopka, Fla., 3,007, $1,430. 89, Cameron Henning (a), Layton, Utah, 3,005, $1,420. 90(tie), Andrew Cannuli (a), Moorestown, N.J., Alec Keplinger (a), Coldwater, Mich., Anthony Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas, and Chad Nelson (a), Owatonna, Minn., 3,004, $1,395.
94, William Svensson, Sweden, 3,003, $1,370. 95, Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 3,002, $1,360. 96(tie), Joseph Lipan, Crooked River Ranch, Ore., and Sean Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas, 3,001, $1,345.
98, Richard Allen, Chapin, S.C., 3,000, $1,330. 99(tie), Nicholas Pate, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., and Darren Andretta, New Hyde Park, N.Y., 2,998, $1,315.
LAS VEGAS – It’s been a season full of close calls on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour for Brandon Novak of Chillicothe, Ohio, and he’s leaving nothing to chance at the 2022 United States Bowling Congress Masters.
The 33-year-old right-hander is leading the 400-plus player field at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino after two rounds and 10 games with a 2,279 total (227.9 average). He rolled games of 289, 189, 172, 279 and 246 for a 1,175 total Wednesday to move to the top of the standings.
Novak is followed by Mykel Holliman of Collierville, Tennessee (2,271), Chris Via of Blacklick, Ohio (2,230), EJ Tackett of Bluffton, Indiana (2,214), and Kevin McCune of Munster, Indiana (2,212).
The final rounds of qualifying at the 2022 USBC Masters get underway Thursday at 11 a.m. Eastern, and after 15 games, the field will be narrowed down to the top 63 players and defending champion Thomas Larsen of Denmark for the double-elimination match-play bracket.
Heading into Thursday’s final round, Canada’s Christopher Bédard-Chagnon and Tommy Parker of Bowling Green, Ohio, are tied for 63rd place with a 2,048 total, a 204.8 average.
Larsen is guaranteed a spot in the bracket as the defending champion, and he can improve his seeding through qualifying. If he happens to finish qualifying outside of the top 63, he’ll be the No. 64 seed.
Through two rounds, Larsen is tied for 130th place with a 1,993 total.
Novak’s start at the Gold Coast Bowling Center has put him in great position to advance to the bracket starting Friday, and he’s ready to make a run after just missing out on some opportunities this season.
His top finish in 2022 was at the U.S. Open, where he flirted with a trip to the stepladder finals before settling into eighth place after 56 games.
At the Guaranteed Rate PBA World Series of Bowling in March, he missed making the cut by 31 pins or less at three of the events and was 66 pins out of the number at the PBA World Championship after 30 games.
He skipped the next two events in Lubbock, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, to take a break and prepare for the final major of the 2022 season at the Masters, and it has allowed him to find his rhythm.
“It’s been a mediocre season so far,” Novak said. “My was goal was to make the PBA Playoffs, and I needed to have a good showing at the World Series to do that. I just missed at four of the five events, so mentally, it was kind of frustrating. That was a big reason why I skipped Lubbock and Colorado. The two-week break really has helped me out a lot. This is probably the best I’ve thrown it in the last couple months.”
Novak’s run to the lead Wednesday came on the burn squad. He finished the opening round Tuesday on this week’s fresh 40-foot oil pattern in 12th place overall with a 1,104 total. All competitors at the 2022 Masters bowl two rounds on the fresh condition and one squad on the burn.
He will get a final look at the fresh Thursday to finish qualifying, and he’s going to try a few things and hopes to continue to make good shots to create some momentum heading into match play.
Novak is a fan of the tournament’s double-elimination bracket, and he knows from experience that everything can change as soon as the event transitions to three-game total-pinfall matches.
He was the final competitor to make the bracket at the 2017 Masters after earning his spot in a roll-off, and he quickly turned it around the following day to defeat top qualifier Nick Kruml of Downers Grove, Illinois, in his opening match.
“This is my favorite tournament to bowl,” Novak said. “Anything can happen in match play, and that’s what I like about it.”
Bracket matches will take place Friday and Saturday, and the top five players will advance to the stepladder finals. The stepladder will air live Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern on FOX. The winner will take home the $100,000 top prize.
All rounds of competition prior to the stepladder will be broadcast live by BowlTV and simulcast to FloBowling. Subscribe at BowlTV.com.
For more information on the USBC Masters, visit BOWL.com/Masters.
2022 USBC MASTERS
At Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas
Wednesday’s Results
QUALIFYING – ROUND 2
(10 games – top 100)
1, Brandon Novak, Chillicothe, Ohio, 2,279. 2, Mykel Holliman, Collierville, Tenn., 2,271. 3, Chris Via, Blacklick, Ohio, 2,230. 4, EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind., 2,214. 5, Kevin McCune, Munster, Ind., 2,212. 6, Andrew Anderson, Holly, Mich., 2,200.
7, DJ Archer, Simpsonville, S.C., 2,197. 8, Perry Crowell IV, St. Clair Shores, Mich., 2,182. 9(tie), Matthew Sanders, Evansville, Ind., and Steve Kloempken (a), Pleasant View, Utah, 2,162. 11, Cameron Henning (a), Layton, Utah, 2,155. 12, Wes Malott, Fort Wayne, Ind., 2,152.
13, Anthony Simonsen, Las Vegas, 2,148. 14, Clay Rees, Lehi, Utah, 2,145. 15, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 2,144. 16(tie), David Krol, Nixa, Mo., and Ryan Powers (a), Portage, Mich., 2,140. 18, Karl Wahlgren, Sweden, 2,133.
19, Brent Boho, Indianapolis, 2,128. 20, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 2,122. 21(tie), Cerell Cardines (a), Las Vegas, and Keven Williams, Battlefield, Mo., 2,120. 23(tie), JR Raymond, Clinton Township, Mich., Martin Larsen, Sweden, and Matthew Zweig, Scottsdale, Ariz., 2,114.
26, Bailey Mavrick, Fishers, Ind., 2,110. 27, Kenny Ryan, Maitland, Fla., 2,101. 28, Patrick Hanrahan, Wichita, Kan., 2,099. 29, Chad Roberts (a), Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 2,098. 30, AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., 2,095.
31, Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Ariz., 2,094. 32(tie), Scott Halvarson (a), Bonney Lake, Wash., and Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 2,093. 34, Manuel Otalora (a), Davie, Fla., 2,089. 35, Shawn Horenberger (a), Meridian, Idaho, 2,087. 36, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 2,086.
37, Cody Shoemaker, Hanover, Pa., 2,084. 38, Matthew Anderson (a), Las Vegas, 2,082. 39, Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., 2,081. 40, Brad Miller, Lee’s Summit, Mo., 2,080. 41, Dino Castillo, Highland Village, Texas, 2,076. 42, Carlos Granados (a), Orlando, Fla., 2,075.
43, Andrew Hall, Westborough, Mass., 2,072. 44(tie), Brady Stearns, St. Augusta, Minn., and Joseph Ramsdell, Canaan, Maine, 2,071. 46, Zac Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 2,069. 47, Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 2,066. 48, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 2,064.
49(tie), Dwight Adams, Greensboro, N.C., and Sam Cooley, Australia, 2,063. 51(tie), AJ Chapman, Lewisville, Texas, and Steve Novak (a), Louisville, Ky., 2,062. 53(tie), Vincent Bellar (a), Chagrin, Ohio, Anthony Bonnell (a), Baltimore, and George Gohagan III, Dayton, Ohio, 2,059.
56, Jaime Gonzalez, Colombia, 2,056. 57, Osku Palermaa, Finland, 2,055. 58, Brandon Runk, Milton, Pa., 2,053. 59, Nathan Bohr, Round Rock, Texas, 2,052. 60, Jake Peters, Henderson, Nev., 2,051.
61(tie), Paul Smith, Madison, Conn., and Justin O’Shaughnessy, Jackson, Mich., 2,049. 63(tie), Christopher Bédard-Chagnon, Canada, and Tommy Parker, Bowling Green, Ohio, 2,048. 65(tie), Mitch Hupé, Canada, and Benjamin Martinez, Mexico, 2,047.
67(tie), Zeke Bayt, Westerville, Ohio, Kyle Sherman, O’Fallon, Mo., Darren Andretta, New Hyde Park, N.Y., and Bryan Bourget (a), Woonsocket, R.I., 2,044. 71, Nick Borgaro (a), Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 2,043. 72, Eddie Langdon (a), Bonaire, Ga., 2,041.
73, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 2,037. 74, Nick Kruml, Downers Grove, Ill., 2,036. 75(tie), Chris Barnes, Denton, Texas, and Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 2,035. 77, Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 2,034. 78(tie), Steven McCracken, Brighton, Colo., and William Hibbard (a), Indianapolis, 2,031.
80, Richard Teece, England, 2,030. 81(tie), Cameron Foster (a), Eagle Mountain, Utah, and Chad Nelson (a), Owatonna, Minn., 2,028. 83(tie), Chris Forry (a), Bridgeport, Conn., and Shawn Jones, Faber, Va., 2,027.
85, Angelo Biondo (a), Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 2,026. 86, Stuart Williams, Pflugerville, Texas, 2,023. 87(tie), Anthony Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas, Tyler Cortez Schenck, Phoenix, Jesper Svensson, Sweden, and Dallas Leong (a), Las Vegas, 2,022.
91(tie), Adam Zimmerman (a), Deer Park, N.Y., William Svensson, Sweden, and Ryan Stubblefield (a), St. Charles, Mo., 2,021. 94(tie), Tanner Acosta (a), Lebanon, Ore., and Jeffrey Campbell, Sioux Falls, S.D., 2,020. 96, PJ Haggerty, Roseville, Calif., 2,018.
97, Christian McConehea, Hillsboro, Ohio, 2,017. 98, Fero Williams, Adelphi, Md., 2,016. 99(tie), Dan Higgins (a), Lewis Center, Ohio, Jacob Balser (a), Parkersburg, W.Va., and Josh Blanchard (a), Mesa, Ariz., 2,015.
CROWELL OFF TO STRONG START AFTER FIRST ROUND AT 2022 USBC MASTERS
LAS VEGAS – Perry Crowell IV of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, may only bowl a handful of events on the national stage each year, but he tends to make the most of each opportunity.
The 30-year-old right-hander does his best to stay mentally and physically prepared to compete against the best in the world, and his efforts paid off Tuesday with a strong performance during the first round of qualifying at the 2022 United States Bowling Congress Masters.
Crowell sits in second place overall after his first five-game block at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino. He rolled games of 246, 206, 199, 265 and 258 for a 1,174 total, a 234.8 average.
Mykel Holliman of Collierville, Tennessee, led the 414-player field with a 1,200 total, a 240 average. Holliman, the runner-up at the 2019 USBC Masters at Gold Coast, rolled games of 235, 207, 278, 257 and 223.
Cameron Henning of Layton, Utah (1,167), Keven Williams of Battlefield, Missouri (1,163), and 2016 Masters champion Anthony Simonsen of Las Vegas (1,142) also finished Tuesday’s opening round in the top five.
Crowell usually circles a couple of bigger tournaments on his schedule each year, and he’s found success in those appearances. In addition to the Masters, Crowell is a familiar face at the USBC Team USA Trials and U.S. Open, and he’s made an impact at both of those events in recent years.
He earned a spot on Team USA in 2019, which led to an appearance at the PANAM Bowling Elite Championships later that year in Lima, Peru. Crowell helped Team USA capture a gold medal in team competition during the event.
At the 2020 U.S. Open, he advanced to the stepladder finals on his way to a fourth-place finish.
Some struggles at those events in 2022, however, inspired some changes and a chance at a mental reset for Crowell.
“I take advantage of every opportunity I possibly can, and a lot of it is mental preparation and confidence that at some point, I’m going to find a way, and that’s the biggest thing,” Crowell said. “Team USA Trials and the U.S. Open didn’t go very well for me this year, and I think I didn’t really feel confident in my abilities and had some self-doubt at that time. I needed to reset. I dropped down from 16 to 15 pounds after the U.S. Open and changed my fit, and it’s been a huge help.
“Mentally, I know I have to be ready to compete against these players and know it’s going to be difficult, but to be able to put my best foot forward today is very rewarding right now.”
Crowell works in the bowling industry as a global sales representative at Turbo, and he’s able to keep his game sharp at their training facility – Turbo Tech. He puts in the time and effort and competes locally when he can, but he also has noticed benefits from giving lessons at the facility.
He noted how helping others has assisted in being able to see ball motion, and he was able to apply that during his opening round on this week’s 40-foot oil pattern. Crowell is crossing with Sweden’s Martin Larsen during qualifying, and he was able to make some early adjustments based off what he saw from his ball reaction Tuesday.
Larsen finished the first round tied for 21st place with a 1,087 total.
“I felt a little lost at the start, but I was watching what Martin was doing,” Crowell said. “I went off the picture he was seeing, and I thought it looked pretty good and was able to make the right adjustments for my game.”
All competitors will return to the Gold Coast Bowling Center on Wednesday for the second of three rounds of qualifying. After 15 games, which includes two blocks on the fresh lane condition and one squad on the burn, the top 63 players will join defending champion Thomas Larsen of Denmark in the double-elimination bracket beginning Friday.
Larsen is guaranteed a spot in the bracket as the defending champion, and he can improve his seeding through qualifying. If he happens to finish qualifying outside of the top 63, he’ll be the No. 64 seed.
After the first round, Larsen is in 179th place with a 984 total.
Crowell knows anything can happen once competition switches to match play at the Masters, and the first goal looking ahead is to ensure his spot in the bracket.
“I think today gives me a little breathing room,” Crowell said. “I don’t want to give it all away, but it gives me a little buffer. The biggest thing is making the bracket. Once you get there, it’s a whole different tournament. I’m just going to take it one game at a time and try to eliminate some bad games, take advantage of good pairs and hope I’m going onto match play after Day 3.”
All bracket matches leading up to the stepladder finals will feature a three-game total-pinfall format. The top five players will advance to the stepladder finals, which will air live April 3 at 1 p.m. Eastern on FOX. The winner will take home the $100,000 top prize and major title on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour.
All rounds of competition prior to the stepladder will be broadcast live by BowlTV and simulcast to FloBowling. Subscribe at BowlTV.com.
For more information on the USBC Masters, visit BOWL.com/Masters.
2022 USBC MASTERS
At Gold Coast Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas
Tuesday’s Results
QUALIFYING – ROUND 1
(Five games – top 100)
1, Mykel Holliman, Collierville, Tenn., 1,200. 2, Perry Crowell IV, St. Clair Shores, Mich., 1,174. 3, Cameron Henning (a), Layton, Utah, 1,167. 4, Keven Williams, Battlefield, Mo., 1,163. 5, Anthony Simonsen, Las Vegas, 1,142. 6, Steve Kloempken (a), Pleasant View, Utah, 1,135.
7, EJ Tackett, Bluffton, Ind., 1,132. 8, Ryan Powers (a), Portage, Mich., 1,117. 9, DJ Archer, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,112. 10, Cerell Cardines (a), Las Vegas, 1,106. 11, Matthew Zweig, Scottsdale, Ariz., 1,105. 12, Brandon Novak, Chillicothe, Ohio, 1,104.
13, Andrew Anderson, Holly, Mich., 1,102. 14, Chris Via, Blacklick, Ohio, 1,101. 15, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,095. 16(tie), Joshua Lewis, Weaverville, N.C., and Petey Vergos, Apopka, Fla., 1,094. 18, David Krol, Nixa, Mo., 1,093.
19, Zac Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 1,090. 20, Nick Kruml, Downers Grove, Ill., 1,089. 21(tie), Martin Larsen, Sweden, and Tom Daugherty, Riverview, Fla., 1,087. 23(tie), Kenny Ryan, Maitland, Fla., Dino Castillo, Highland Village, Texas, and Kevin McCune, Munster, Ind., 1,086.
26(tie), Matthew Anderson (a), Las Vegas, and Joseph Ramsdell, Canaan, Maine, 1,083. 28, Dallas Leong (a), Las Vegas, 1,081. 29, Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 1,080. 30, Brian Kuykendall (a), Covington, Tenn., 1,079.
31(tie), Jakob Butturff, Tempe, Ariz., and Steve Novak (a), Louisville, Ky., 1,077. 33, Chad Roberts (a), Reynoldsburg, Ohio, 1,076. 34, Wes Malott, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1,075. 35, Kurtis Stidd, Mt. Joy, Pa., 1,069. 36(tie), Ildemaro Ruiz, Venezuela, and Chad Nelson (a), Owatonna, Minn., 1,067.
38, Jim Thomas (a), Binghamton, N.Y., 1,066. 39, Trevor Roberts, Tampa, Fla., 1,064. 40(tie), Lanndyn Carnate, Modesto, Calif., and Shawn Jones, Faber, Va., 1,062. 42(tie), Nolan White (a), Carlisle, Ohio, and Nicholas Pate, Inver Grove Heights, Minn., 1,061.
44(tie), Brandon Curtis (a), Manson, N.C., and Karl Wahlgren, Sweden, 1,060. 46, Benjamin Martinez, Mexico, 1,059. 47, Brad Miller, Lee’s Summit, Mo., 1,058. 48(tie), Andrew Hall, Westborough, Mass., and Chris Forry (a), Bridgeport, Conn., 1,057.
50(tie), Richard Allen, Chapin, S.C., and Brandon Runk, Milton, Pa., 1,054. 52(tie), Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., Clay Rees, Lehi, Utah, and William Hibbard (a), Indianapolis, 1,053.
55, Marshall Kent, Yakima, Wash., 1,052. 56(tie), Bryan Bourget (a), Woonsocket, R.I., Mitch Hupé, Canada, and Charles Withers II (a), Grovetown, Ga., 1,051. 59(tie), Cody Shoemaker, Hanover, Pa., and Josh Blanchard (a), Mesa, Ariz., 1,050.
61, Justin O’Shaughnessy, Jackson, Mich., 1,049. 62, Michael Tang, Pickerington, Ohio, 1,048. 63, Steven McCracken, Brighton, Colo., 1,047. 64, Justin Verner (a), Rock Springs, Wyo., 1,046. 65(tie), Jake Peters, Henderson, Nev., and Brent Boho, Indianapolis, 1,045.
67(tie), George Gohagan III, Dayton, Ohio, and Christian McConehea, Hillsboro, Ohio, 1,044. 69(tie), Manuel Otalora (a), Davie, Fla., DeeRonn Booker (a), Anaheim, Calif., and Ryan Burks (a), Kansas City, Mo., 1,043. 72, Chris Postell, Clyde, N.C., 1,042.
73, Patrick Hanrahan, Wichita, Kan., 1,041. 74, Michael Patterson, Canton, Ga., 1,040. 75(tie), Shawn Maldonado, Sugarland, Texas, and David Haynes, Las Vegas, 1,039. 77(tie), David Stouffer, Fort Myers, Fla., Mark Thomas (a), Oviedo, Fla., and Fero Williams, Adelphi, Md., 1,038.
80, Dominic Barrett, England, 1,037. 81(tie), Jason Britain (a), Springfield, Mo., and Anthony Pepe, Long Island City, N.Y., 1,036. 83(tie), Jacob Balser (a), Parkersburg, W.Va., AJ Johnson, Oswego, Ill., John Verbich lll (a), Griffith, Ind., and Angelo Biondo (a), Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, 1,035.
87, Anthony Bonnell (a), Baltimore, 1,034. 88, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 1,033. 89, Christopher Ingram, Phoenix, 1,032. 90, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,031.
91(tie), Owen Darby (a), Easton, Pa., Kristopher Prather, Romeoville, Ill., Steve Pavlinko Jr., Swedesboro, N.J., and Graham Fach, Canada, 1,030. 95, Bailey Mavrick, Fishers, Ind., 1,029. 96(tie), David Pritchard (a), Thornton, Colo., and Tim Ursillo (a), Lakeside, Calif., 1,028.
98(tie), Sean Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas, and Vincent Bellar (a), Chagrin, Ohio, 1,027. 100, Joe Paluszek, Bensalem, Pa., 1,025.
DENMARK’S LARSEN READY TO DEFEND TITLE AT 2022 USBC MASTERS
LAS VEGAS – Thomas Larsen became the first bowler from Denmark to hoist the trophy at the United States Bowling Congress Masters after his win at the 2021 event, and he has been looking forward to his return as defending champion.
The 2022 edition of the event will get underway this week at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino.
The 32-year-old right-hander is part of a sold-out field of 420 athletes who will be competing at the 2022 USBC Masters, with qualifying starting Tuesday at 11 a.m. Eastern.
The stepladder at the 2022 event will be April 3 at 1 p.m. Eastern on FOX, with the champion taking home a spot in the tournament’s storied history, a major title on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour and the $100,000 top prize.
Larsen captured his first career major and third PBA Tour title with a 197-176 win over top seed Jesper Svensson of Sweden at the 2021 Masters in Reno, Nevada.
Larsen’s first two titles came overseas in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in 2013 and Kuwait in 2014, but there always was a goal to win in the United States.
“It has been a dream come true,” Larsen said. “When you’re growing up in Europe and start bowling, it’s always the dream to win a title on American TV on the PBA Tour. For it to be a major is pretty amazing. I was able to cross something off my bucket list.”
The win helped him earn a spot at the 2021 PBA Playoffs and PBA Super Slam, and the additional fanfare when he returned to Denmark helped open additional doors for him to share in his experience as a professional bowler.
“All of my friends and family were really happy, and it also got some media attention with some of the bigger news outlets in Denmark,” Larsen said. “The biggest part for me was that it led to a couple opportunities for me to do some bowling-related work. I started working together with a German company to create YouTube videos (EMAX Bowling Service), and that has been really cool.”
Larsen felt he was putting together some of the best performances of his career as the 2021 season came to a close, but the layoff from tour competition before the start of this season in January has led to some struggles in his 2022 campaign.
Things have been progressing in the right direction as he continues to compete against the best players in the world each week on the PBA Tour, but he’s still looking for everything to come together at the right time.
“I came over here and wasn’t as sharp as I would have liked,” Larsen said. “It’s kind of been a struggle, but I’ve got some physical things figured out, and my spare shooting is back to a level where I would want it to be. I feel it’s getting better and better, but then you also run into the issue of throwing the ball well but not matching up. I feel like I have not had a good solution to what the lanes were giving me so far this year, and then it becomes really difficult to perform.”
Qualifying at the 2022 Masters will feature 15 games over three days, with all competitors bowling two five-game blocks on the fresh 40-foot lane condition and one squad on the burn. The top 63 players, based on total pinfall, will join Larsen in the double-elimination bracket beginning Friday at noon Eastern.
Larsen is guaranteed a spot in the bracket as the defending champion, and he can improve his seeding through qualifying. If he happens to finish qualifying outside of the top 63, he’ll be the No. 64 seed.
He’s looking forward to getting comfortable on this year’s lane condition during qualifying and feels confident heading into match play.
The biggest thing of the week for Larsen, however, is enjoying the experience of returning to the event as the defending champion.
“No matter what, I’m thrilled and looking forward to the whole experience,” Larsen said. “Being introduced as the defending champion and getting to see my name up on the banner and everything, I’m going to enjoy this week.
“I get some free practice in qualifying and am guaranteed to be in match play, and I feel if I can have somewhat of a decent look, match play is one of my strengths.”
All bracket matches leading up to the stepladder finals will feature a three-game total-pinfall format. The top five players will advance to the stepladder finals.
All rounds of competition prior to the stepladder will be broadcast live by BowlTV and simulcast to FloBowling. Subscribe at BowlTV.com.
For more information on the USBC Masters, visit BOWL.com/Masters.
United States Bowling Congress
The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body of bowling as recognized by the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC). USBC conducts championship events nationwide including the largest participation sporting events in the world – the USBC Open and Women’s Championships – and professional events such as the USBC Masters and USBC Queens.
Founded in 1895, today USBC and its 1,519 state and local associations proudly serve more than a million members. USBC is headquartered in Arlington, Texas, working toward a future for the sport. The online home for USBC is BOWL.com.
