# USBC Masters

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Bowling tournament

The **USBC Masters** is a championship [ten-pin bowling](/source/Ten-pin_bowling) event conducted by the [United States Bowling Congress](/source/United_States_Bowling_Congress). The [Professional Bowlers Association](/source/Professional_Bowlers_Association) (PBA) began recognizing it as a title event in 1998, and it was designated one of the four majors in 2000. A PBA rule change in 2008 retroactively awarded a PBA title (and a major) to any Masters winners prior to 1998 who were PBA members at the time of the victory.[1]

## History

The tournament began in 1951 as the **ABC Masters**, conducted by the American Bowling Congress (ABC).[2] The ABC merged with the [WIBC](/source/Women's_International_Bowling_Congress) and [YABA](/source/Young_American_Bowling_Alliance) to become the USBC in 2005, after which the tournament was renamed USBC Masters. The Masters began as an invitational event showcasing national and local bowling stars and has grown to become one of bowling's most prestigious events.

While the event has evolved over the years, its trademark qualifying and double-elimination match play format has remained largely unchanged. All bowlers compete in 15 games of qualifying, with the top 63 qualifiers joining the previous year's champion in the double elimination match play bracket. If the previous champion makes the top 63 or is unable to participate, the 64th-place qualifier is added. All head-to-head matches consist of three games, where the highest total pinfall wins. First-time losers during the match play rounds are not eliminated, but are instead placed into an elimination bracket, where they must survive all subsequent three-game matches to have a chance at making the championship finals.[3]

Hundreds of competitors turn out for the Masters each year (a full field of 390 entered the 2026 event) with their sights set on a prize fund that has recently been as high as $457,000, including a $100,000 top prize.[4]

The Masters is open to PBA members and any USBC member who meets average requirements. It has been part of the World Bowling Tour.

After the Masters in January 2004, the tournament was moved to the fall, resulting in two Masters events during calendar year 2004. (The first was part of the 2003–04 PBA season, and the second was part of the 2004–05 season.) Then in 2008, the tournament was moved back to the spring, which is why there was no Masters during 2008.

### Masters facts

- In 2007, [Carolyn Dorin-Ballard](/source/Carolyn_Dorin-Ballard) became the first woman to bowl a perfect game in the USBC Masters.[5]

- [Dick Hoover](/source/Dick_Hoover) (1956–57), [Billy Welu](/source/Billy_Welu) (1964–65), [Jason Belmonte](/source/Jason_Belmonte) (2013–15) and [Anthony Simonsen](/source/Anthony_Simonsen) (2022–23) are the only four players to successfully defend a Masters title, with Belmonte being the only player of the four to win three times in a row.[6]

- [Mike Aulby](/source/Mike_Aulby) was the first player to win the Masters three times (1989, 1995, 1998).

- Jason Belmonte was the first, and only, player to win the Masters four times (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017).

- Hall of Famer [Earl Anthony](/source/Earl_Anthony) won his 43rd, and final, PBA Tour title at the 1984 ABC Masters.

- Hall of Famer [Ernie Schlegel](/source/Ernie_Schlegel), aged 53 years, 23 days, won the 1996 Masters and became the tournament’s oldest winner.

- Anthony Simonsen, aged 19 years, 39 days, won the 2016 Masters and became the tournament's youngest winner, as well as the youngest to win a PBA major of any kind.[7] With his back-to-back wins in 2022 and 2023, Simonsen joined Aulby and Belmonte as the only players to win at least three Masters titles.

## Current Defending Champion

The current defending USBC Masters champion is [David Krol](/source/David_Krol).

### 2026 Event

The 2026 USBC Masters was held at Thunderbowl Lanes in [Allen Park, Michigan](/source/Allen_Park%2C_Michigan) from March 22–28, with the televised stepladder final round on March 29. The tournament had a starting field of 390 bowlers and a $420,000 prize fund. The top 97 players (1:4) cashed, with the champion earning $100,000.[8]

Fifth-seeded David "Boog" Krol climbed the ladder, eventually defeating top seed [E. J. Tackett](/source/E._J._Tackett), 196–195, for his third PBA Tour title and first major.[9]

Match #1 Match #2 Title Match 1 Title Match 2 1 E. J. Tackett 195 2 Eric Jones 196 5 David Krol 196 3 Jesper Svensson 202 5 David Krol 206 4 Matt Sanders 197 5 David Krol 227 5 David Krol 216

**Prize Pool:**

- 1. David Krol ([Nixa, Missouri](/source/Nixa%2C_Missouri)) – $100,000

- 2. E. J. Tackett ([Ossian, Indiana](/source/Ossian%2C_Indiana)) – $50,000

- 3. Eric Jones ([Edmond, Oklahoma](/source/Edmond%2C_Oklahoma)) – $25,000

- 4. Jesper Svensson ([Sweden](/source/Sweden)) – $15,000

- 5. Matt Sanders ([Evansville, Indiana](/source/Evansville%2C_Indiana)) – $10,000

## Past champions

- 1951 [Lee Jouglard](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lee_Jouglard&action=edit&redlink=1) over Joe Wilman

- 1952 [Willard Taylor](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Willard_Taylor&action=edit&redlink=1) over Andy Varipapa

- 1953 [Rudy Habetler](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rudy_Habetler&action=edit&redlink=1) over Ed Brosius

- 1954 [Eugene Elkins](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Eugene_Elkins&action=edit&redlink=1) over Willard Taylor

- 1955 [Buzz Fazio](/source/Buzz_Fazio) over Joe Kristof

- 1956 [Dick Hoover](/source/Dick_Hoover) over Ray Bluth

- 1957 Dick Hoover (2) over Bill Lillard

- 1958 [Tom Hennessey](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tom_Hennessey_(bowler)&action=edit&redlink=1) over Lou Frantz

- 1959 [Ray Bluth](/source/Ray_Bluth) over Billy Golembiewski

- 1960 [Billy Golembiewski](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Billy_Golembiewski&action=edit&redlink=1) over Steve Nagy

- 1961 [Don Carter](/source/Don_Carter_(bowler)) over Dick Hoover

- 1962 Billy Golembiewski (2) over Ron Winger

- 1963 [Harry Smith](/source/Harry_Smith_(bowler)) over Bobby Meadows

- 1964 [Billy Welu](/source/Billy_Welu) over Harry Smith

- 1965 Billy Welu (2) over Don Ellis

- 1966 [Bob Strampe](/source/Bob_Strampe_(bowler)) over Al Thompson

- 1967 [Lou Scalia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lou_Scalia&action=edit&redlink=1) over Bill Johnson

- 1968 [Pete Tountas](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pete_Tountas&action=edit&redlink=1) over Buzz Fazio

- 1969 [Jim Chestney](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jim_Chestney&action=edit&redlink=1) over [Barry Asher](/source/Barry_Asher)

- 1970 [Don Glover](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Don_Glover_(bowler)&action=edit&redlink=1) over Bob Strampe

- 1971 [Jim Godman](/source/Jim_Godman) over Don Johnson

- 1972 [Bill Beach](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bill_Beach_(bowler)&action=edit&redlink=1) over Jim Godman

- 1973 [Dave Soutar](/source/Dave_Soutar) over Dick Ritger

- 1974 [Paul Colwell](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paul_Colwell&action=edit&redlink=1) over [Steve Neff](/source/Steve_Neff)

- 1975 [Ed Ressler Jr.](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ed_Ressler_Jr.&action=edit&redlink=1) over Sam Flanagan

- 1976 [Nelson Burton Jr.](/source/Nelson_Burton_Jr.) over Steve Carson

- 1977 [Earl Anthony](/source/Earl_Anthony) over Jim Godman

- 1978 [Frank Ellenburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frank_Ellenburg&action=edit&redlink=1) over Earl Anthony

- 1979 [Doug Myers](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Doug_Myers&action=edit&redlink=1) over Bill Spigner

- 1980 [Neil Burton](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Neil_Burton&action=edit&redlink=1) over Mark Roth

- 1981 [Randy Lightfoot](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Randy_Lightfoot&action=edit&redlink=1) over Skip Tucker

- 1982 [Joe Berardi](/source/Joe_Berardi) over Ted Hannahs

- 1983 [Mike Lastowski](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Lastowski&action=edit&redlink=1) over [Pete Weber](/source/Pete_Weber_(bowler))

- 1984 Earl Anthony (2) over Gil Sliker

- 1985 [Steve Wunderlich](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Steve_Wunderlich&action=edit&redlink=1) over Tommy Kress

- 1986 [Mark Fahy](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mark_Fahy&action=edit&redlink=1) over [Del Ballard Jr.](/source/Del_Ballard_Jr.)

- 1987 [Rick Steelsmith](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rick_Steelsmith&action=edit&redlink=1) over Brad Snell

- 1988 Del Ballard Jr. over Keith Smith

- 1989 [Mike Aulby](/source/Mike_Aulby) over Mike Edwards

- 1990 [Chris Warren](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Warren_(bowler)&action=edit&redlink=1) over [David Ozio](/source/David_Ozio)

- 1991 [Doug Kent](/source/Doug_Kent) over [George Branham III](/source/George_Branham_III)

- 1992 [Ken Johnson](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ken_Johnson_(bowler)&action=edit&redlink=1) over [Dave D'Entremont](/source/Dave_D'Entremont)

- 1993 [Norm Duke](/source/Norm_Duke) over [Patrick Allen](/source/Patrick_Allen_(bowler))

- 1994 [Steve Fehr](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Steve_Fehr&action=edit&redlink=1) over Steve Anderson

- 1995 Mike Aulby (2) over [Mark Williams](/source/Mark_Williams_(professional_bowler))

- 1996 [Ernie Schlegel](/source/Ernie_Schlegel) over Mike Aulby

- 1997 [Jason Queen](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jason_Queen&action=edit&redlink=1) over Eric Forkel

- 1998 Mike Aulby (3) over [Parker Bohn III](/source/Parker_Bohn_III)

- 1999 [Brian Boghosian](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brian_Boghosian&action=edit&redlink=1) over Parker Bohn III

- 2000 [Mika Koivuniemi](/source/Mika_Koivuniemi) over Pete Weber

- 2001 Parker Bohn III over [Jason Couch](/source/Jason_Couch)

- 2002 [Brett Wolfe](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brett_Wolfe&action=edit&redlink=1) over Dennis Horan Jr.

- 2003 [Bryon Smith](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bryon_Smith&action=edit&redlink=1) over [Walter Ray Williams Jr.](/source/Walter_Ray_Williams_Jr.)

- Jan. 2004 Walter Ray Williams Jr. over [Chris Barnes](/source/Chris_Barnes_(bowler))

- Oct. 2004 [Danny Wiseman](/source/Danny_Wiseman) over Patrick Allen

- 2005 [Mike Scroggins](/source/Mike_Scroggins) over Norm Duke

- 2006 Doug Kent (2) over Jack Jurek

- 2007 [Sean Rash](/source/Sean_Rash) over [Steve Jaros](/source/Steve_Jaros)

- 2008 *not contested due to PBA schedule change*

- 2009 [John Nolen](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Nolen_(bowler)&action=edit&redlink=1) over Danny Wiseman

- 2010 Walter Ray Williams Jr. (2) over Chris Barnes

- 2011 [Tom Hess](/source/Tom_Hess_(bowler)) over Jack Jurek

- 2012 [Mike Fagan](/source/Mike_Fagan) over Chris Barnes

- 2013 Jason Belmonte over [Wes Malott](/source/Wes_Malott)

- 2014 Jason Belmonte (2) over [E. J. Tackett](/source/E._J._Tackett)

- 2015 Jason Belmonte (3) over [A. J. Johnson](/source/A._J._Johnson_(bowler))

- 2016 [Anthony Simonsen](/source/Anthony_Simonsen) over Dan MacLelland

- 2017 Jason Belmonte (4) over Michael Tang

- 2018 [Andrew Anderson](/source/Andrew_Anderson_(bowler)) over Alex Hoskins

- 2019 [Jakob Butturff](/source/Jakob_Butturff) over Mykel Holliman

- 2020 *not contested due to [COVID-19 pandemic](/source/COVID-19_pandemic)*

- 2021 [Thomas Larsen](/source/Thomas_Larsen_(bowler)) over [Jesper Svensson](/source/Jesper_Svensson_(bowler))

- 2022 Anthony Simonsen (2) over Norm Duke

- 2023 Anthony Simonsen (3) over Michael Martell

- 2024 [DeeRonn Booker](/source/DeeRonn_Booker) over Patrick Dombrowski

- 2025 [Gary Haines](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gary_Haines&action=edit&redlink=1) over Anthony Simonsen

- 2026 [David Krol](/source/David_Krol) over E. J. Tackett

Note: In May 2008, the PBA announced it was revising its all-time records to include PBA-era ABC Masters championships prior to 1998 as PBA titles (and majors), if the champion was a PBA member at the time.[10]

## External links

- [Official USBC Masters "Information" web page](https://www.bowl.com/USBC_Masters/Masters_Home/Information/)

- [PBA.com site](http://www.pba.com/pbatour/tournament.asp?ID=1516)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["PBA to grandfather Masters, BPAA All-Star Titles"](http://www.bowlingdigital.com/bowl/node/4072). bowlingdigital.com. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 26 September 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Cannizzaro, Matt (April 10, 2018). ["Jacob Kent Averages 228 to Take USBC Masters First Round Lead"](https://www.pba.com/articles/Jacob-Kent-Averages-228-to-Take-USBC-Masters-First-Round-Lead). pba.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Official USBC Masters "Information" web page](https://www.bowl.com/USBC_Masters/Masters_Home/Information/)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-USBCmaster2024_4-0)** ["2024 USBC Masters Prize Fund"](https://scores.bowl.com/2024Masters/PrizeFund.pdf) (PDF). bowl.com. Retrieved April 1, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Dorin-Ballard gets first perfect game by woman, but is eliminated"](https://www.twincities.com/2007/10/25/dorin-ballard-gets-first-perfect-game-by-woman-but-is-eliminated/). October 25, 2007.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Anthony Simonsen Rewrites History at the Masters | PBA"](https://www.pba.com/2023/april/anthony-simonsen-rewrites-history-masters). *www.pba.com*. Retrieved 2024-02-13.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Cannizzaro, Matt (February 14, 2016). ["19-Year-Old Simonsen Wins USBC Masters to Become Youngest to Win a Major Title"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160321005338/http://www.pba.com/articles/19-Year-Old-Simonsen-Wins-USBC-Masters-to-Become-Youngest-to-Win-a-Major-Title). pba.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.pba.com/articles/19-Year-Old-Simonsen-Wins-USBC-Masters-to-Become-Youngest-to-Win-a-Major-Title) on March 21, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["2026 USBC Masters Prize Fund"](https://scores.bowl.com/2026masters/PrizeFund.pdf) (PDF). bowl.com. Retrieved March 31, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Hughes, Nolan (March 29, 2026). ["Boog Krol Wins Third Career Title, First Major in USBC Masters"](https://www.pba.com/2026/march/boog-krol-wins-third-career-title-first-major-usbc-masters). pba.com. Retrieved March 31, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** All-time Denny's PBA Tour Titlists at www.pba.com

v t e PBA Tour events Major USBC Masters PBA Tournament of Champions PBA World Championship U.S. Open PBA Players Championship Others Round1 Japan Cup Motor City Classic Etonic Championship Lake County Indiana Classic CLR Windy City Classic Great Lakes Classic Lumber Liquidators Championship Spartanburg Classic ConstructionJobs.com Championship Lumber Liquidators Earl Anthony Medford Classic Motel 6 Dick Weber Open PBA Exempt Doubles Classic Bayer Classic Pepsi Championship Don Johnson Buckeye State Classic Go RVing Classic GEICO Classic

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [USBC Masters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USBC_Masters) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USBC_Masters?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.