March 28, 2026 Nolan Hughes

EJ Tackett, Eric Jones, Jesper Svensson, Matt Sanders, Boog Krol advance to stepladder finals | Match play results

It’s hard to accurately describe what EJ Tackett accomplished over the past two days, but it is easy to contextualize.

Tackett put on the greatest match play performance in the history of the USBC Masters, obliterating pins and opponents throughout his undefeated romp through the 64-player bracket at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich.

During his 18 games of match play, Tackett averaged 258.39 to break the record of 250.4 set by Anthony Simonsen in 2023.

Tackett won all six of his three-game total pinfall matches to earn the No. 1 seed for the stepladder finals.

In his final match, Tackett defeated Eric Jones to earn the top seed. The 21-year-old Jones, seeking his first career PBA Tour title, will be the No. 2 seed.

Jesper Svensson, Matt Sanders and Boog Krol emerged from the contenders portion of the double-elimination bracket to earn the No. 3-5 seeds.

 

Tackett’s pursuit of an eighth career major title carries greater weight in this week’s Masters, which marks his first finals appearance in the event since 2014.

Tackett is one of nine players to win the PBA’s Triple Crown, which includes the U.S. Open, PBA Tournament or Champions and PBA World Championship.

He now sits one game away from an eighth career major title and the career Grand Slam, which includes those three major championships and the Masters.

Only Jason Belmonte, Norm Duke and Mike Aulby have won the Grand Slam in their career.

 

Jones will be making his second career major championship round appearance. His first came in the 2024 PBA World Championship, which was also held at Thunderbowl Lanes and featured a finals field that included Tackett and Svensson.

Despite his age, Jones is already blossoming into veteran status as this is his fourth full-time season competing on the PBA Tour.

Jones said he was inspired by the exploits of Jason Belmonte, who won the Masters four times between 2013 and 2017. On Saturday, Jones defeated his idol in the fourth round of the winners bracket, 782-754.

“His ball change and execution from game two was the best I’ve ever seen him bowl,” Belmonte posted on social media. “I have a lot of respect for how great he is, but I will get him next time.” 

 

Svensson earned the No. 3 seed by winning the final round of the contenders bracket against Sanders, Krol and Brandon Bonta. He struck in the 10th frame of the final game to leapfrog Sanders.

Svensson, a two-time major champion, finished fourth in the season-opening PBA Players Championship. He and Tackett will each make their second major championship final of the season.

Sanders took the longest route to the finals of the five players, falling earlier in the winners bracket and ultimately needing to win seven matches to make the show.

Performing at an elite level — Sanders averaged more than 240 — over 21 games in two days would be impressive for any player, but especially so for Sanders.

The left-handed Indiana native suffered a leg injury in a moving accident last July. A deep gash in his right leg cut through tendons and muscles, rendering him unable to walk for weeks. 

The 32-year-old had to face his bowling mortality as he ascertained whether or not his leg would heal enough to bowl this season, or future seasons.

Sanders attacked the rehab process and was able to be ready for the start of the 2026 season. He led stretches of U.S. Open qualifying before finishing 18th earlier this month.

Eight months ago, Sanders couldn’t walk. Last week, he had to withdraw from the PBA Indiana Classic because the swelling in his leg became too much to bear.

But Sunday, he will bowl for a major title.

“This means everything,” Sanders said. “It's hard to understand that you're not going to be the same person you were before after something like that, physically or mentally. To get to this point is awesome. Obviously, I'm going to do what I can to win tomorrow, which I always do, but just getting to this point was pretty emotional. It's been a long day, a long week, a long eight months, so I'm excited to be here.”

 

For the second straight week, Boog Krol will bowl for a PBA Tour title. He led last week’s PBA Indiana Classic but fell in demoralizing fashion.

Krol mustered just 136 to Marshall Kent’s 152 and the two set records for lowest score in a title match.

“I put too much pressure on myself last week to try to win a title,” Krol said. “Now I'm just going to have fun with it.”

The stepladder finals will air live Sunday, March 29 at 4 p.m. ET on The CW.

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