Malott leads Day 1 at 2024 U.S. Open in Indianapolis
January 30, 2024
Round 1 Results
INDIANAPOLIS – Wes Malott of Fort Wayne, Indiana, wasn’t even sure he was eligible to bowl the 2024 U.S. Open presented by Go Bowling!
From 2014-2023, Malott had a direct entry into the tournament by virtue of his 2013 U.S. Open win, but a decade later, that victory no longer guaranteed him a yearly entry into the prestigious event.
Therefore, the next criteria that could give Malott an automatic spot in the main field at the 2024 U.S. Open would come by him having finished in the top 75 on the 2023 Professional Bowlers Association season points list.
Despite a host of injuries, Malott managed to finish last season in 74th place, which was just good enough to earn him an automatic berth at this year’s tournament.
Despite narrowly getting in, Malott certainly proved that he still belongs in this field, shooting games of 190, 259, 189, 225, 257, 201, 258 and 231 at Royal Pin Woodland on Monday for an eight-game total of 1,810 (a 226.25 average), which was not only tops on B Squad but also good enough to make him the overall leader on Day 1.
Australia’s Sam Cooley was close behind, leading A Squad with an eight-game mark of 1,795. Deo Benard of Roanoke, Texas (1,770); Andrew Anderson of Holly, Michigan (1,766); and Nathan Stubler of La Salle, Illinois (1,749) claimed the remaining positions in the Day 1 top five.
Matt Sanders of Evansville, Indiana, led all C Squad bowlers with a score of 1,720 to finish the opening round in sixth place while Canada’s Graham Fach (1,703); Petey Vergos of Apopka, Florida (1,691); Brandon Bohn of Jackson, New Jersey (1,686) and Tom Daugherty of Riverview, Florida (1,683) landed in spots seven through 10, respectively.
Monday’s strong opening-round performance was certainly welcomed by Malott, who came in looking to improve upon a disappointing 2023 U.S. Open showing that saw him miss the match-play cut and finish in 64th place.
Malott attributed his Round 1 success to his ability to manipulate the ball to promote better reaction and pin carry.
“I was able to do a little trick today that not many people can do, and that allowed me to put together five really great games,” Malott said.
The 47-year-old right-hander also credited the local support he’s received since moving to Fort Wayne, which is only a two-hour drive from Royal Pin Woodland, and a bit of a mindset change that he’s adopted now that he’s reached the later stages of his career.
“I’m in a much better spot mentally than the past few years, and my support system has been great,” Malott said. “I know I’m getting older, but I’m still coming out with a good attitude. I’m getting probably a little closer to the end of my career, and that comes with a different mindset. It’s a clearer picture, and it’s helped me mentally.”
Malott’s approach worked well on Monday, but the demanding U.S. Open format means that he can’t rest on his one great day.
“It’s a long week, so I’m going to try and stay patient, not press too much, and see what happens,” Malott said.
Big scores were hard to come by on Monday’s flat 39-foot oil pattern as only 41 of the tournament’s 108 players averaged 200 or better during Round 1.
Anthony Neuer of Milton, Pennsylvania, had the day’s only perfect game during Game 5 of B Squad qualifying.
Defending champion EJ Tackett of Bluffton, Indiana, struggled early as his first three games only totaled 514, but he roared back during the later stages of his block, breaking 200 during four of his last five games (237, 200, 258 and 265) to end the day in 20th place with a score of 1,653.
Pre-tournament qualifier leader Eric Jones of Edmond, Oklahoma, finished Day 1 in a tie with Sweden’s Jesper Svensson for 25th place at 1,639.
Patrick Hanrahan of Wichita, Kansas, ended Monday’s opening round in 36th place with a score of 1,613. That position in the standings will become crucial on Wednesday when the 108-player field is cut down to the top 36 after the completion of Round 3.
Nevertheless, Round 2 is up next, which means Hanrahan, Malott and the rest of B Squad will be back on the lanes Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. Eastern for another eight games of qualifying. C Squad will follow at 1 p.m. Eastern, and A Squad will kick off at 6 p.m. Eastern.
After a third day of qualifying on Wednesday, the top 36 will return Thursday for Round 4 before the field is cut again, this time to 24 bowlers who will move on to round-robin match play.
Match play will consist of 24 games with the top five players advancing to the stepladder finals, which will be contested live on FOX on Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. Eastern.
The winner of the 2024 U.S. Open will take home the $100,000 top prize, the coveted green jacket and the U.S. Open trophy.
The 2024 U.S. Open is a collaborative effort between the United States Bowling Congress and Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and will be considered a major on the PBA Tour. The total prize fund for the event will exceed $275,000.
For results, standings and information about the 2024 U.S. Open, CLICK HERE
INDIANAPOLIS – Wes Malott of Fort Wayne, Indiana, wasn’t even sure he was eligible to bowl the 2024 U.S. Open presented by Go Bowling!
From 2014-2023, Malott had a direct entry into the tournament by virtue of his 2013 U.S. Open win, but a decade later, that victory no longer guaranteed him a yearly entry into the prestigious event.
Therefore, the next criteria that could give Malott an automatic spot in the main field at the 2024 U.S. Open would come by him having finished in the top 75 on the 2023 Professional Bowlers Association season points list.
Despite a host of injuries, Malott managed to finish last season in 74th place, which was just good enough to earn him an automatic berth at this year’s tournament.
Despite narrowly getting in, Malott certainly proved that he still belongs in this field, shooting games of 190, 259, 189, 225, 257, 201, 258 and 231 at Royal Pin Woodland on Monday for an eight-game total of 1,810 (a 226.25 average), which was not only tops on B Squad but also good enough to make him the overall leader on Day 1.
Australia’s Sam Cooley was close behind, leading A Squad with an eight-game mark of 1,795. Deo Benard of Roanoke, Texas (1,770); Andrew Anderson of Holly, Michigan (1,766); and Nathan Stubler of La Salle, Illinois (1,749) claimed the remaining positions in the Day 1 top five.
Matt Sanders of Evansville, Indiana, led all C Squad bowlers with a score of 1,720 to finish the opening round in sixth place while Canada’s Graham Fach (1,703); Petey Vergos of Apopka, Florida (1,691); Brandon Bohn of Jackson, New Jersey (1,686) and Tom Daugherty of Riverview, Florida (1,683) landed in spots seven through 10, respectively.
Monday’s strong opening-round performance was certainly welcomed by Malott, who came in looking to improve upon a disappointing 2023 U.S. Open showing that saw him miss the match-play cut and finish in 64th place.
Malott attributed his Round 1 success to his ability to manipulate the ball to promote better reaction and pin carry.
“I was able to do a little trick today that not many people can do, and that allowed me to put together five really great games,” Malott said.
The 47-year-old right-hander also credited the local support he’s received since moving to Fort Wayne, which is only a two-hour drive from Royal Pin Woodland, and a bit of a mindset change that he’s adopted now that he’s reached the later stages of his career.
“I’m in a much better spot mentally than the past few years, and my support system has been great,” Malott said. “I know I’m getting older, but I’m still coming out with a good attitude. I’m getting probably a little closer to the end of my career, and that comes with a different mindset. It’s a clearer picture, and it’s helped me mentally.”
Malott’s approach worked well on Monday, but the demanding U.S. Open format means that he can’t rest on his one great day.
“It’s a long week, so I’m going to try and stay patient, not press too much, and see what happens,” Malott said.
Big scores were hard to come by on Monday’s flat 39-foot oil pattern as only 41 of the tournament’s 108 players averaged 200 or better during Round 1.
Anthony Neuer of Milton, Pennsylvania, had the day’s only perfect game during Game 5 of B Squad qualifying.
Defending champion EJ Tackett of Bluffton, Indiana, struggled early as his first three games only totaled 514, but he roared back during the later stages of his block, breaking 200 during four of his last five games (237, 200, 258 and 265) to end the day in 20th place with a score of 1,653.
Pre-tournament qualifier leader Eric Jones of Edmond, Oklahoma, finished Day 1 in a tie with Sweden’s Jesper Svensson for 25th place at 1,639.
Patrick Hanrahan of Wichita, Kansas, ended Monday’s opening round in 36th place with a score of 1,613. That position in the standings will become crucial on Wednesday when the 108-player field is cut down to the top 36 after the completion of Round 3.
Nevertheless, Round 2 is up next, which means Hanrahan, Malott and the rest of B Squad will be back on the lanes Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. Eastern for another eight games of qualifying. C Squad will follow at 1 p.m. Eastern, and A Squad will kick off at 6 p.m. Eastern.
After a third day of qualifying on Wednesday, the top 36 will return Thursday for Round 4 before the field is cut again, this time to 24 bowlers who will move on to round-robin match play.
Match play will consist of 24 games with the top five players advancing to the stepladder finals, which will be contested live on FOX on Feb. 4 at 4 p.m. Eastern.
The winner of the 2024 U.S. Open will take home the $100,000 top prize, the coveted green jacket and the U.S. Open trophy.
The 2024 U.S. Open is a collaborative effort between the United States Bowling Congress and Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and will be considered a major on the PBA Tour. The total prize fund for the event will exceed $275,000.
For results, standings and information about the 2024 U.S. Open, CLICK HERE