By Lucas Wiseman, USBC Communications
Australia's Jason Belmonte became the first bowler in nearly 50 years to
successfully defend a United States Bowling Congress Masters title on Sunday as
he defeated EJ Tackett of Huntington, IN, 221-177.
Belmonte, the reigning Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year,
opened up a big lead early and eased to the title at Brunswick Zone Carolier.
With the victory, Belmonte, who earned $50,000 for the win, is just the third
player to successfully defend a Masters title, joining Billy Welu (1964 and
1965) and Dick Hoover (1956 and 1957).
"This tournament is so difficult to win," said Belmonte, who won his ninth
career PBA Tour title and his third major. "I always have high expectations for
myself, but to go down in history as the third one and first in 50 years to win
back-to-back is a huge honor."
In the title match, Belmonte got out of the gates quickly and took advantage
of a slow start by Tackett, the reigning PBA Rookie of the Year. Belmonte
started with a spare before rattling off four consecutive strikes to take
command.
The match wasn't settled, however, until the final frame when Belmonte
converted the 4 pin and struck on his final ball to shut out Tackett.
"I wish I would have had a chance, but Jason did what he had to do to win,"
Tackett said. "I'm disappointed I didn't win, but it's an experience I'm going
to learn from this and hopefully next time I can win."
In addition to making history with consecutive Masters victories, Belmonte
also added his name to a short list of players who have won back-to-back major
titles. He won the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions in January and is the
seventh player in history to win back-to-back majors.
In the semifinal, Belmonte hung on for a one-pin victory over Michael Haugen
Jr. of Phoenix, 235-234, by putting a spare on the board in the final frame and
getting nine pins on the fill ball.
Belmonte, who entered the championship round as the fifth seed, took down No.
3 seed Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, MI, 202-173, and opened the stepladder
finals with a 227-214 win over fourth seed Ryan Ciminelli of Cheektowaga,
NY.
The Masters, which featured a total prize fund of $315,000, is part of the
World Tenpin Bowling Association World Bowling Tour. A sold-out field of 468
players from 15 countries started the week in their quest to take home the
trophy.
2014 USBC MASTERS
At Brunswick Zone Carolier, North
Brunswick, NJ.
Sunday's results
Final standings
1, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 885 (four games), $50,000
2, EJ Tackett,
Huntington, IN, 177 (one game), $25,000
3, Michael Haugen Jr., Phoenix,
234 (one game), $15,000
4, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, MI, 183 (one game)
$10,000
5, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, NY, 214 (one game), $8,000
Stepladder results
Match One - Belmonte def. Ciminelli, 227-214
Match Two - Belmonte def.
Smallwood, 202-173
Match Three - Belmonte def. Haugen, 235-234
Championship - Belmonte def. Tackett, 221-177
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