A PERFECT game helped Jason Belmonte make a solid start in the Professional Bowlers Association Players Championship on Wednesday.
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The Orange bowler rolled a 300 in his fourth of eight qualifying games at Wisconsin’s AMF Bowlero Lanes.
After the eight qualifying games he was third on the ladder with a 1964 total and 245.5 average.
American Ronnie Russell was leading on 2016 and Texan D.J Archer was second on 1981.
“Had a great day on the lanes today. Near the top of the leaderboard after the first 8 games!” Belmonte posted on Facebook after the first round.
The two-handed bowler made a strong start with scores of 244, 239 and 212 before he rolled the 300.
His final four games were 257, 224, 257 and 221 to help him to the 1964 total.
The field was to roll another four qualifying games early this morning (AEDT) before the top 24 moved into the first round of matchplay games.
A further 16 matchplay games will be rolled on Friday morning (AEDT) before the top five qualify for the stepladder finals on February 14.
The Mark Roth/Marshall Holman PBA Doubles Championships is being played in conjunction with the Players Championship.
The individual scores count towards the doubles event with Belmonte and American Bill O’Neill (1745) third on 3709 after the first round.
Tom Smallwood and Walter Ray Williams Jr were leading on 3855, with Russell and Loschetter second on 3799.
The top 12 teams will move into the matchplay rounds after which the top five teams will qualify for the finals.
Belmonte’s strong start came a day after he was named the 2014 PBA Player of the Year.