Jason Belmonte’s bid for a Professional Bowler’s Association record-equaling 10th major tournament has hit a snag at Wichita, Kansas, with the two-handed star sitting mid-field after two qualifying rounds of the US Open.
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The US Open has alluded the Orange star throughout a glittering career and that battle continued on day one of the 2018 tournament, the 2017 PBA player of the year landing in 54th position after a total pinfall of 1627 through eight games on Friday.
Belmonte’s standing improved slightly following the second round, he now sits in 46th position thanks to a pinfall of 2844 but faces a monumental task to qualify for the finals.
Rounds three and four are still to be bowled on the Northrock Lanes and with 10 games in play Belmonte has to make up a chunk of pins to make the next cut.
After 24 games, the field will be cut to the top 36 players for the cashers' round, which will include an additional eight games to determine the 24 players for round-robin match play.
When the five finalists are confirmed, the stepladder finals will be run and the champion will take out the $30,000 top prize and coveted green jacket.
Kris Prather of Plainfield, Illinois, continues to set the pace thanks to his impressive average of 236.19 through 14 games.
Belmonte won three majors in 2017, his win in the PBA World Championship setting a record for major wins in a season with three.
It was also his ninth career major just one behind Pete Weber and Earl Anthony who hold record of 10.
The U.S. Open is the fourth and final major championship on the 2018 PBA Tour schedule.
Nick McGrath
Editor, Central Western Daily
Editor, Central Western Daily
