That’s the scenario two-handed bowling sensation Jason Belmonte faces heading into the opening major of the 2018 season.

After a ground-breaking 2017 where he won three major crowns in the one calendar year, a mark no bowler has hit in Professional Bowlers Association history, victory in next month’s Tournament of Champions will see the Orange star join seriously elite company.

Currently on nine total majors won, another triumph will rocket Belmonte to major 10 titles, joining PBA greats Earl Anthony and Pete Weber at the top of the historic all-time list.

The PBA’s Tournament of Champions – the PBA’s signature championship – returns to its historic home at AMF Riviera Lanes at Fairlawn, Ohio on February 5, a day after the New England Patriots and the Philadelphia Eagles go head-to-head in the Super Bowl.

“I’m honored to be one win away from arguably the two best bowlers who ever lived on the all-time majors list,” Belmonte said.

“I don’t know how I’ll feel if I get to 10 majors, but I’ll tell you that winning No. 9 was a pretty good feeling.”

Belmonte’s ninth win came in November during the PBA World Championship.

In all, Belmonte’s major wins make up more than half of his 16 career PBA Tour titles and include a record four USBC Masters titles (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017), two Tournament of Champions titles (2014, 2015) and two Barbasol PBA Players Championship titles (2011, 2017) in addition to his World Championship crown won late last year.

He is a U.S. Open title away from the PBA Triple Crown (U.S. Open, TOC and PBA World Championship, Grand Slam (Triple Crown plus Masters) and the “Super Slam” (Grand Slam plus Players Championship).

A third TOC title would put him in elite company with PBA Hall of Famers Mike Durbin and Jason Couch, who are the only players to accomplish that feat.

“To be in this position at this stage of my career is really something I couldn’t have dreamed of,” Belmonte added.

“Obviously, going forward my immediate goals are to surpass Earl and Pete but it’s not an easy task.

“Having won the Tournament of Champions and the Players Championship twice, I’m going into those tournaments with confidence but to win a major is difficult for the simple reason they demand more from you than other tournaments.”  

Career major tournaments: 40

Career major titles: 9                  

Career major Top 5 finishes: 19                

Career major Top 10 finishes: 28

Earl Anthony, 10 (last major win at age 46)                                     

Pete Weber, 10  (last major win at age 50)

Jason Belmonte, 9 (won 2017 PBA World Championship at age 34)

Mike Aulby, 8 (last major win at age 38)

W.R. Williams Jr., 8 (last major win at age 50)