ORANGE’S Jason Belmonte has turned his attention to his bid for an unprecedented fourth straight United States Bowling Congress Masters title this week, after finishing a disappointing fourth in the FireLake Professional Bowlers Association Tournament of Champions.
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Belmonte was bundled out of the Tournament of Champions on Monday morning (AEDT) by America’s Tom Daugherty, who eventually finished third, with a 220-169 loss, ending his dream of securing a three-peat of titles.
However Belmonte contributed to his own defeat, missing a 10 pin in the first frame, a 2-8 spare attempt in the sixth and then failing to convert a 2-4-8-10 split in the ninth frame.
“That’s not how I ever want to bowl any game, but especially a TV show game,” Belmonte said via social media.
“There’s lots of things I can take away and build on. Congratulations to Jesper (Svensson) on an awesome performance. The youngest to ever win the TOC and another [two-handed] major champion.”
Qualifying rounds for the USBC Masters kicked off on Tuesday in Indianapolis, but because Belmonte enters the competition as defending champion he has the benefit of automatically qualifying for the three-game, double-elimination bracket - which starts on Friday - as a result.
The top 63 qualifiers from the opening three days of bowling will join Belmonte in the bracket, where he is guaranteed at least the number 64 spot, but as per usual he is bowling the qualifying rounds to try and improve that seeding, as well as get a feel for the oil pattern.
The unique double-elimination format seems to suit the powerful two-hander, who was the first bowler since 1965 to successfully defend a Masters title when he won in 2014.
He then became the first to win in three consecutive years, joining USBC and PBA Hall of Famer Mike Aulby as the tournament’s only three-time winners.
“It’s hard to put into words what my accomplishments at the masters mean,” Belmonte, who owns 12 PBA titles including five majors, said.
“I’m proud of what I have done. However, I am not the kind of guy who is content with that. I am always pushing myself to strive for more, and that’s why I’m as hungry to win my fourth Masters as I was the previous three.”
After the double-elimination match-play rounds, the top five qualifiers enter the stepladder final, broadcast live on ESPN on Sunday.
