Belmo’s back with a Bang
By Tenpin Bowling Australia
Tenpin Bowling Australia (TBA) congratulates Jason Belmonte on claiming another Professional Bowling Association (PBA) career title to add to his ever-growing legacy in the sport after winning the PBA Players Championship on Sunday.
The current all-time leader in major titles, Jason Belmonte extended his record by winning his 14th major and claiming the 2022 PBA Players Championship as the PBA tour kicked off for the new year.
Along with the addition of his 14th major, the victory marks career title number 26 and sees Belmonte become the first player in history to win four different majors on three separate occasions.
“It was an incredible performance from Jason,” said TBA Chief Executive Officer Rohan O’Neill. “There is no doubt he is back. Jason’s performance throughout the entire PBA Players Championship was outstanding, with his ability to deliver under pressure at both the Regional Stepladder Final and Championship Stepladder final first class.”
The 2022 PBA season’s inaugural event, the PBA Players Championship in Texas, would become the stage for Belmonte to make his PBA return after a ten-month absence from the Tour due to remaining home in Australia throughout the pandemic last year.
It didn’t take long for all to be reminded of the greatness of Jason Belmonte who showed no rust from the lengthy layoff.
A major championship on the PBA Tour, the PBA Players Championship involves several stages on the path to the major title and its $100,000 top prize. The 16th of January would mark the beginning of the journey where Jason commenced the qualifying stage of the event completing 28 games. Jason averaged 211 through the 28 games to cement his place in the top five as the fourth seed and advancing to the regional finals.
In Belmonte’s four matches in the regional stepladder finals, he would average 255 on his way to booking a berth in the Championship stepladder finals against the four other regional champions.
Prior to the Championship Stepladder TV finals, bowlers would complete three games to determine the seedings of the final. Jason received the second seed meaning two wins became the requirement from the TV show to collect the impressive $100,000 top prize on offer.
Jason defeated his first challenger Arturo Quintero 248-212 before overcoming long-time rival Sean Rash 210-202 in the Championship match.
The victory adds to an impressive line-up of major titles that include four USBC Masters titles, three World Championship titles, three Tournament of Champions titles and now three PBA Players Championship titles along with one U.S. Open win.
“Thank you to all the fans back home who cheered me on throughout the event,” said Belmonte.
“The support I’ve received from the Aussie bowling community has been overwhelming.
“I can’t wait to continue on Tour and keep doing my best to make you all proud” added Belmonte.
The PBA Tour continues this week with another major on the line – the U.S. Open.
Check back on www.tenpin.org.au for any news and time conversions of stages specific to the three touring Australians – Jason Belmonte, Sam Cooley and Callum Borck.
More to Read & Watch:
PBA.com – BELMONTE IS EMPHATICALLY BACK WINNING HIS 14TH MAJOR, Jill Winters –click here to read
PBA Post Show presented by Pabst Blue Ribbon – PBA Players Championship Finals – click to play below.
