Lint Leads, Barnes Closes Gap at PBA Senior U.S. Open
Troy Lint continues to lead the PBA Senior U.S. Open through the first two rounds of match play, but the superstars of 2022 have closed the gap.
Chris Barnes and Parker Bohn III charged into second and third place, respectively, on Sunday at Highland Park Lanes in Greeley, Colo.
Through 30 games, including 12 of round-robin match play, Lint paces the field with a 7,183 (+1,183) total pinfall and 9-3 match play record on the 39-foot Aulby oil pattern.
Barnes, aided by a 298 in his fifth game of the afternoon block, now sits within 36 pins of the left-hander.
Though Barnes said today was as good as he’s bowled in a while, he had no idea how much he’d closed the gap on Lint.
“The last time I looked I was 250 pins behind him, so I didn't really check anymore. I figured he had to miss a game for me to get somewhere close to him,” Barnes said. “He’s bowled fantastic, (but) I can't say it's fun to watch where you're chasing him.”
Barnes credited his two key ball changes to his coach for the week: his son, Ryan.
“I love having him out here with me. When he's out here, most of the time I bowl pretty well,” the elder Barnes said on Father's Day. “We started doing this as a way where I would just talk through things that are going through my mind as he was seeing it so we could kind of help shorten the process. He caught on pretty quick.
“He’s one of the people that can talk about my physical game and I’ll actually listen to him,” Barnes said laughing.
Tom Hess and Brad Angelo currently hold the final positions for the stepladder finals, but Colorado's own Steven Badovinac made a massive charge late Sunday evening.
Badovinac closed the second round of match play with 246, 220, 255 and 263, winning all four of his matches. He sits just eight pins behind Angelo for the final berth in the stepladder finals.
Bowling has been a part of Badovinac’s life for over 30 years, though the sport's ranking on his personal hierarchy has evolved over time. He said he chose to be a Hall of Fame dad instead of pursuing a career on Tour.
However, the dream of winning a PBA50 title continues to radiate inside the 55-year-old.
“There are things that I don’t see on the lane that these guys do,” Badovinac said. “But I don’t think anybody has more heart, passion or desire than I do.”
Match play continues on Monday with the final rounds beginning at noon and 5 p.m. ET.
The top five players after tomorrow’s match play rounds will advance to the stepladder finals, which begin at 9 p.m. ET.
The field will have their work cut out for them as there is a near-150 pin gap between Badovinac and seventh-placed David Leverage.
All rounds of the Senior U.S. Open will be livestreamed on BowlTV.
Leaders Through Match Play Round 2
- Troy Lint, 7,183 (+1,183)
- Chris Barnes, 7,147 (+1,147)
- Parker Bohn III, 7,073 (+1,073)
- Tom Hess, 6,949 (+949)
- Brad Angelo, 6,870 (+870)
- Steven Badovinac, 6,862 (+862)
- David Leverage, 6,718 (+718)
- Tom Adcock, 6,662 (+662)
- Lennie Boresch Jr., 6,627 (+627)
- Rolando Sebelen, 6,578 (+578)
Complete Senior U.S. Open Standings
Remaining Senior U.S. Open Schedule
Highland Park Lanes | Greeley, Colorado
Monday, June 19
Noon — Match play Round 3 (six games)
5 p.m. — Match play Round 4 (six games)
Top five players advance to stepladder finals
9 p.m. — Stepladder finals
More information on the Senior U.S. Open is available here.