Orange’s Jason Belmonte is fast mounting a case to become the greatest tenpin bowler of all time after winning a history-making fourth United States Bowling Congress Masters title on Monday morning, Australian Eastern Time. 

A trailblazer in the sport of bowling his entire career, the 33-year-old entered the event's stepladder finals as the No.1 seed and started the championship match at The Orleans Bowling Center with seven consecutive strikes, before a seven-pin ended his run at the first perfect game in a USBC Masters final.

The 279-212 win over amateur America’s Michael Tang gave Belmonte his fourth Masters crown in the last five years. His first was in 2013.

The emphatic win makes the Australian, two-hand bowler the most prolific Masters winner in history, his fourth crown passing three-time champion Mick Aulby (1989, 95, 98) to top the list.

It’s also Belmonte’s eighth major title, and second in three events, tying him with USBC and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famers Aulby and Walter Ray Williams Jr. for second all-time behind fellow hall of famers Earl Anthony and Pete Weber, who have 10 apiece.

Belmonte’s name on that hall of fame list seems a mere formality, and just how far the humble star reaches into the tenpin bowling stratosphere is anyone’s guess.

"I love this tournament and think it really brings out the best in me,” Belmonte said after the win.

“To have my name etched on this trophy four times and be the only person to do that is unbelievable. It doesn't seem real."

Belmonte, who won the recent Barbasol PBA Players Championship, now has 14 PBA Tour titles in nine seasons. He won the Masters three-consecutive times in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Heading into the final, Belmonte knew his game plan would be dependent on who else made the show and how they attacked the lanes in the games leading up to the final.

Even as practice ended before the title match, Belmonte was uncertain about his look and made an educated guess. 

"I struck once in practice and nothing looked like I was going to have that kind of game," said Belmonte, a three-time PBA Player of the Year.

"With two shots left, Tim Mack hit the surface with 1,000 grit, and it looked OK. I hadn't thrown it on the other lane, so I had to make a guess on that lane.

“I told myself just to hit that spot. With urethane, the game Michael bowled easily could have been the game I had. He bowled a great game and didn't give anything away.

“He's an amazing talent."

Tang, the No.4 seed for Sunday's championship round, was looking to become the first amateur since 2002 to win the Masters. The 21-year-old San Jose State University collegiate bowler also would've been the first bowler to win from the fourth spot. Only two times since the Masters went to a stepladder format in 1980 has anyone lower than the second seed won the event.

Tang's ticket to the final came with a 227-217 win over amateur Alex Hoskins of Brigham City, Utah.

The two were even through five frames, with neither player throwing a double, but both rallying with late strings of three strikes. 

Tang finished first, giving Hoskins the opportunity to win the game with a strike and nine-spare in his final frame, but Hoskins went light and left a 2 pin on his first offering. Hoskins, who made his first appearance at the Masters, finished third.

"The right lane got a little tight down lane," said Tang, the 2015 Intercollegiate Singles champion. "In the match against Hoskins, I rang a couple of 10s, which were worrisome, but I thought I had something figured out. The lanes kind of transitioned differently than through the week, so I had to make some different moves. Belmo is Belmo. It's hard to beat him when he has that kind of look. I feel like I bowled well, so there's nothing to be mad about."