Mika Koivuniemi Wins 2011 PBA Tournament of Champions
Several records were set in the 2011 PBA Tournament of Champions this past weekend. Along with the highest prize in a PBA event with $250,000 for first place, the lowest nationally televised game in PBA history.
The telecast started with Mika Koivuniemi taking on Andres Gomez. Mika won a close match, 224-220, to move onto his next match against Tom Daugherty. Daugherty struggled to get going and never gave Mika much of a challenge. On the other hand, Mika Koivuniemi used his great ball reaction and ran the front 11 strikes for a 299 game. Mika won the match, 299 to Daugherty’s record low 100, and moved on to the final match against Tom Smallwood. Mika kept his scoring pace up, throwing 10 of 12 strikes for a 269 game, which was plenty to beat Smallwood’s 207.
In winning the PBA Tournament of Champions, Mika Koivuniemi earned his 3rd PBA major title and his 9th overall PBA title.
Bill O’Neill Wins PBA Viper Championship
Bill O’Neill rolled through the TV finals of the Pepsi PBA Viper Championship to win his third PBA title. O’Neill started the day off with a match against Amleto Monacelli, winning 244-159. O’Neill went on to face Mike DeVaney and beat him 242-209, which moved him onto the semifinals to bowl against Tommy Jones. O’Neill won the match 248-192 to move on to the finals against Andres Gomez. O’Neill won the match and the championship, 237-203.
PBA Etonic Don Johnson Eliminator TQR Results
The PBA Etonic Don Johnson Eliminator is taking place this week in Columbus, Ohio. The Tour Qualifying Round took place this week. Bowlers bowled 8 games in the TQR with he top 9 bowlers advancing into the tournament this week. Bill Oatman led the qualifier with a score of 1846 (+246, 230.75 Average). Other bowlers in the top 5 include Jesse Buss (1844), Eddie Graham (1801), Scott Newell (1793), and Joe Bailey (1768). Others making the cut include Anthony LaCaze (1752), Chad Kloss (1749), Liz Johnson (1747), and Andres Gomez (1739). The cut score was 1739 (+139, 217.38 Average).
This tournament is being bowled on the PBA Chameleon pattern. The eliminator will begin on Thursday, March 4, with the TV Finals airing live on ESPN on Sunday, March 7.
Jason Belmonte Retains Lead in U.S. Open
Jason Belmonte used his 9 game score of 1934 (+134) to bring his total to 6051 (+651, 224.11 Average) and keep his lead in the U.S. Open. Belmonte will lead all bowlers going into match play this afternoon. Belmonte currently has an 85 pin lead on the second place bowler Andres Gomez’s score of 5966. Other bowlers currently in the top five include Bill O’Neill (5958), Jason Couch (5866), and Walter Ray Williams, Jr. (5850). The field will now be cut to the top 24 bowlers with a cut score of 5637 (+237, 208.78 Average). Matchplay will begin this afternoon and continue throughout the day tomorrow.
Jason Belmonte Takes Over Lead in U.S. Open
Jason Belmonte had a huge score of 1493 (+293, 248.83 Average) to take over the lead in the third round of qualifying in the U.S. Open. Belmonte’s final qualifying score was 4117 (+517, 228.72 Average). Qualifying second was David Beres with a score of 3939. Rounding out the top five were Andres Gomez (3920), Chris Barnes (3915), and Bill O’Neill (3914). The field will now be cut to the top 88 bowlers (25% of field) with the cut score being 3594 (-6, 199.67 Average)
The remaining bowlers will bowl 9 games on Friday and cut to the top 24. After cutting to the top 24 bowlers, the remaining bowlers will bowl 24 games of match play Friday night and Saturday.
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