ORANGE’S Jason Belmonte has a chance to make history at this week’s United State Bowling Congress Masters in America.
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Belmonte last year became the third person to win back-to-back USBC Masters titles when he downed EJ Tackett in the final.
It had been 50 years since someone had won consecutive crowns in the event.
No one has won the Masters crown three years in a row.
The 31-year-old said his focus was on his performance on the lanes and not the possibility of making history.
“I always feel pressure when I bowl. I love that feeling,” Belmonte told the Central Western Daily.
“I’m not thinking about winning at this point in time, I’m thinking about making sure I’m prepared to start my qualifying rounds and then when it changes to the matches round, I’ll start thinking about winning my matches.
“From there I’ll start thinking about winning if I’m fortunate enough to make the TV show.”
As defending champion Belmonte is guaranteed a place in the top 64, however he will still bowl the qualifying rounds that start early Wednesday morning (AEDT).
Competitors will bowl 15 qualifying games over three days with the top 63 and Belmonte moving into the next phase.
The top 64 will bowl in a three-game double elimination match play format until they are down to the final five.
The finalists will bowl in the televised stepladder final scheduled for Monday morning (AEDT).
The two-handed bowler has had a good lead-up to the Masters by qualifying for two other finals.
He was the third qualifier for the Professional Bowlers Association Players Championship final, and joined with Bill O’Neill to be third seed for the Mark Roth/Marshall Holman PBA Doubles Championship final.
All of this comes on the back of Belmonte being announced the 2014 PBA Player of the Year.
The USBC Masters qualifying starts at 1am on Wednesday (AEDT) at Wisconsin’s Ashwaubenon Bowling Alley.
