July 28, 2026 Nolan Hughes

Seven first-time champions have been crowned thus far in 2026.

A pair of rookies, Brandon Bonta and Alex Horton, bookended the PBA Tour on CW season by winning major championships. In between, five more players claimed their first career PBA Tour title.

Two more rookies, Spencer Robarge and Austin Grammar, discovered the winner’s circle to create the greatest rookie class in PBA Tour history.

Patrick Dombrowski, AJ Chapman, and Zach Wilkins have paid their dues, and were rewarded with dramatic first-career titles as well.

Even with seven first-time champions having been crowned so far this season, the pool of potential new titleists remains plentiful.

From limitless youngsters to relentless veterans, these are the top candidates to breakthrough with a title (listed in alphabetical order):

Ryan Barnes

Best finish: 2nd place in multiple title events

The reigning PBA Rookie of the Year saw two former college teammates, Bonta and Spencer Robarge, each win their first title. But Barnes has been knocking on the door himself.

He has earned a top-three finish in three consecutive seasons, including runner-up finishes in 2025 and 2026. With one more strike in the title match, Barnes would have won the Pilgrim’s PBA Ohio Classic this year.

The 24-year-old ranks second on tour with 11 top-25 finishes and led the Ohio Classic with a 253 average for 36 games. His rare combination of elite consistency and top-end potential will, eventually, result in a title… probably a lot of them.

Brandon Bohn

Best finish: T-9th in 2025 USBC Masters as amateur

After dominating the youth and amateur circuit, the youngest son of Parker Bohn III — a 35-time champion and Hall of Famer — is poised to become a title threat for years to come.

Brandon’s lengthy list of national accolades includes four NCBCA All-American berths, three Junior Gold titles, and two U22 Masters titles.

Where his father made a career out of finesse and repeatability, Brandon possesses unabated power and creativity.

Tim Foy Jr.

Best finish: 3rd place in multiple title events, incl. 2025 PBA World Championship

The 39-year-old is a bit of a late bloomer on the PBA Tour, and his past two seasons have surpassed even his own wildest expectations.

Foy notched six top-5 finishes in his breakout 2025 campaign, and placed top six in two more majors this season.

Eric Jones

Best finish: 3rd place in 2026 USBC Masters

At the age of 21, Jones boasts four seasons of experience on the PBA Tour. The two-handed lefty equips a tool bag deeper than perhaps any other southpaw on tour.

As Jones refines his sharpest tools, he could develop into a more consistent title threat with the likes of Jesper Svensson and Graham Fach.

Tomas Käyhkö

Best finish: 2nd place in 2024 PBA Delaware Classic

The U.S. Open is often considered the greatest test in bowling. When Käyhkö qualified second in the 2023 U.S. Open, behind only EJ Tackett and directly ahead of Anthony Simonsen, the bowling world took notice of the quiet Finn’s talent.

A year later, the two-handed Finn earned the top seed in Delaware and came within a game of a title.

Käyhkö has grown into a consistent fixture in match play. The next step, becoming a consistent title contender, is within his capabilities.

Other Contenders

Cam Crowe
Best finish: 5th place in 2026 PBA Cheetah Championship

Michael Davidson
Best finish: 4th place in 2025 PBA Delaware Classic

Shota Kawazoe
Best finish: 2nd place in 2024 PBA Shark Championship

Alec Keplinger
Best finish: multiple 4th place finishes

Justin Knowles
Best finish: 2nd place in 2026 PBA Pete Weber Classic

Sean Lavery-Spahr
Best finish: 2nd place in 2026 PBA Roth/Holman Doubles Championship

Brad Miller
Best finish: multiple 2nd place finishes

Nick Pate
Best finish: 2nd place in 2022 THE STORM CUP: David Small’s Kokomo Championship

Hayden Stippich
Best finish: 5th place in 2026 PBA Pete Weber Classic