16th December, Riyadh: Top seed, Michael Mak of Hong Kong ended a good year by fininshing as first runner-up to American PBA pro, Tommy Jones at the PBA-World Bowling Tour 7th Kingdom International Open on Monday.
Jones made a bad shot in the second frame of the first match leaving a big five split but recovered superbly with three strikes-in-a-row to trail Mak by 2 pins at the halfway mark.
When Mak rolled three consecutive strikes of his own, the American powered his way through by striking out to take the first match, 247-218 and forcing a deciding match.
Jones gave little room to the top seed as he started off with six consecutive strikes as the Hong Kong national rallied on with five of his own to narrow the gap to just 10 pins after the seventh frame.
Mak threw a seemingly perfect shot only to see a solid pin 10 standing firmly while Jones replied with a double in the eighth and ninth frames. Mak struck thrice and a nine pin count to end with 258.
Michael Mak earning a World Bowling Tour second podium
This meant that Jones had to strike in the tenth to seal victory and to the delight of the large crowd that had gathered to witness a world-class final, the American obliged and went on to win the decider with 268.
"Michael bowled well to take top spot and I knew it'll be no easy match," said Jones, who pocketed the top prize of US$25,000 as champion and his 15th PBA title. "I made a bad shot in the first match and I had to work extra hard to string together that many strikes.
"I had a good break in ninth and tenth frames of the first match and another in the fifth and sixth frames in the second match. Both of us made many good shots and it was a case of who had a better carry. I'm glad it worked out better for me."
The champion had another close match against fourth-seed and last year's first runner-up, Yousif Falah when he edged the Bahraini, 218-211 in the second match to earn a crack at the title.
Yousif easily dispatched third-seed and a second American PBA pro, Bill O'Neill and fifth-seed, Daniel Fransson of Sweden, 258-217-193 in the opening stepladder match to face Jones.
Mak settled for US$12,000 as first runner-up while Yousif took home US$7,000. O'Neill and Fransson earned US$4,500 each.
In the earlier 8-game Final Round, Mak topped the field with 2053 pinfalls followed by Jones in second with 1934 and O'Neill third with 1898. Yousif and Fransson made the cut in foruth and fifth with 1895 and 1894 respectively.
Top 3 winners, Michael Mak, Tommy Jones and Yousif Falah
Top qualifier, Tim Mack of USA, who was fourth before the final game, missed the cut by 13 pins after ending up in sixth while the top Saudi, Bader A Sheikh finished seventh with 1878.
HRH Prince Abdul Hakim Al Saud, President of Saudi Bowling Federation and several members of the Royal family were on hand to present the prizes to the winners. Prince Hakim also presented souvenirs to the sponsors of the tournament.
The top 16 Asians who qualified for the final leg of the ABF Tour - Saudi Arabia which will be held at the same bowling centre on December 17.
Photos by Terence Yaw in Riyadh.
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