Jason Belmonte wins 2022 PBA Tour Finals Title
By kristiemiddleton
Jason Belmonte has capped off a stunning 2022 season by winning the PBA Tour Finals at Strikerz Bowling at Angel of the Winds Casino in Arlington, Washington.
It was the Orange-born bowler’s fifth title this season, the first time he’s ever won five titles in a single season. It also sees Belmonte become the eighth player in PBA history to ellipse 30 career titles.
“To win my 30th title and my fifth of the season is incredible.” said Belmonte in the wake of his historic win. “I never take for granted the opportunity to do what I love for a living and today I made sure to grab this opportunity.
The top eight Professional Bowling Association (PBA) Tour players, based on points earned over the past two seasons, came together to compete in the tournament.
Divided into two groups, Belmonte, who came into the tournament as the no.1 seed, topped his group stepladder during qualification to advance to the final against England’s Dom Barrett.
Prior to the PBA Tour Finals, Belmonte had spent a few weeks back in Australia recharging his batteries
“It was exactly what I needed after nearly four months in the U.S. at the beginning of the year,” Belmonte told PBA.
For the past two seasons, the championship match has seen Kyle Troup and Anthony Simonsen go head to head with later having come into the Finals as the defending champion.
It wasn’t an easy start to the event as Belmonte trialled by 22 points after the first two games, who hadn’t wanted to give up a big lead on the shorter oil pattern.
Kyle Troup limped to a 145 in Game 3 as Belmonte looked to build up as large a lead as possible. While Troup, the reigning Player of the Year rebounded in Game 4, Belmonte cement his top seed position after making a ball change and slight move to the right.
Fans were treated to quite the showdown in the final between Belmonte and Barrett with the Australian scoring a 300 game which all but helped him seal the tile.
Before this morning’s victory, the closest Belmonte had won four titles during 2017 which also saw him win three majors including PBA Players Championship, USBC Masters and PBA World Championships.
It was the first time since 2018 that Belmonte won the PBA Tour Final title.
