Gillian leads charge, Li Jane stays alive at US Open
Making her debut in the season's most demanding major, the 25-year-old impressed with a 4,944 pinfall total, trailing only American veteran Missy Parkin (5,003) heading into Sunday's final block at Sun Valley Lanes.
Gillian's form marks a clear statement of intent, continuing a strong run that includes back-to-back top 10 finishes at the PWBA Rock n' Roll Open and Bowlers Journal Waterloo Open.
"Yes, definitely. It feels really encouraging to see the progress, especially after a tough start earlier in the season," said Gillian.
"I've been focusing a lot on my timing and spare shooting, just trying to stay consistent each day. The lanes have been challenging, but I think my preparation and mental game helped a lot in the first few days."
Gillian is among four Malaysians who made the top 36 cut from the 108-woman field — joined by Natasha Roslan (12th, 4,827), Sin Li Jane (26th, 4,694) and Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal (30th, 4,682).
While Gillian sets the pace, the spotlight also remains on Li Jane, the reigning PWBA Tour Player of the Year, who is bidding to defend the title she won last year.
"It's the US Open. Anything is possible," said the 32-year-old, who must deliver a strong showing in the next eight games to break into the top 24 for the match-play phase.
The scores will be carried forward into match play, with only the top five advancing to Tuesday's stepladder finals — making Sunday's block a crucial one, particularly for Li Jane and Nora.
Compatriots Alisha Iman Cheong (45th, 4,202), Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman (47th, 4,593) and Esther Cheah (81st, 4,374) missed the cut.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-Barca-Villarreal LaLiga match in Miami moves closer after RFEF approval
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Villarreal - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - May 18, 2025 FC Barcelona's Lamine Yamal in action with Villarreal's Sergi Cardona REUTERS/Albert Gea/File Photo MADRID (Reuters) -Spanish football could finally cross the Atlantic after the Royal Spanish Football Federation approved a request for Barcelona and Villarreal to play their December LaLiga match in Miami – a move nearly a decade in the making. The RFEF board gave the green light on Monday for the teams' matchday 17 game to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on December 20 in the first step towards the competition playing an official match abroad for the first time in its history. The proposal now heads to European soccer's governing body UEFA before requiring final approval from FIFA – the last hurdle in LaLiga President Javier Tebas' American dream. "At its meeting on 11 August 2025, the RFEF Board of Directors received a request from Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona to play their match on matchday 17 of the first division in the United States," RFEF said in a statement. "... the Royal Spanish Football Federation will submit the request to UEFA to begin the process for subsequent authorisation by FIFA for the match to be played at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 20 December 2025 ..." LaLiga has been pursuing their transatlantic vision for almost a decade, emulating the strategy employed by the NFL and NBA to establish themselves in other markets. Tebas' first attempt came in the 2018-19 season with a proposed Girona-Barca match in the U.S. that never materialised. A planned Villarreal-Atletico fixture for 2019-20 also fell through, with the matter ending up in the courts after the RFEF refused authorisation. The courts sided with the Spanish Federation, then under Luis Rubiales, who was sacked in 2023 for kissing team player Jenni Hermoso on the mouth celebrating Spain's women's World Cup victory in Sydney. There was another near-miss last season, with a Barcelona-Atletico match almost proceeding before LaLiga pulled back at the last minute to better structure the project. Now, with regulatory barriers cleared and internal conflicts resolved, the Villarreal-Barca clash appears poised to finally deliver Spanish football's long-awaited American adventure. (Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Borneo Post
9 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Gillian makes history as PWBA Rookie of Year
Gillian proudly displays the PWBA Rookie of the Year trophy. KUCHING (Aug 11): The Sarawak bowling fraternity is beaming with pride as local sensation Gillian Lim has etched her name in sports history by winning the 2025 Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Rookie of the Year Award. She is the first Malaysian to be awarded this prestigious global accolade. Gillian finished as the standout rookie of the season for leading all rookies in PWBA ranking points, earnings and top-12 tournament finishes. The 26-year-old amassed 37,230 points far ahead of Canadian Jade Cote (23,615) and American Kirsten Moore (17,645) to establish herself as one of the brightest new talents on the world stage. Her debut season in the pro circuit was marked by consistent and world-class performances across major tournaments in the US including the PWBA Go Bowling Topeka Open, USBC Queens, PWBA Summer Series – Cleveland, PWBA Bowlers Journal Waterloo Open, US Women's Open and PWBA Tour Championship Week. Only four bowlers from outside the US have received this annual top rookie award. Gillian as the first Malaysian to join this elite list helps to cast a global spotlight on Sarawak's bowling excellence. Born and raised in Miri, Gillian's love for bowling began at just eight years old while studying at SK St Joseph and SMK St Joseph Miri. She graduated from Sunway College and became a rising star in the Amateur Bowling (Tenpin) Association of Sarawak (ABAS) ranks, representing the state in Sukma and other national championships. Her national career took off when she joined the national youth team in 2008. She was promoted to the Podium Programme in 2020 where she continued to shine as a core member of the Malaysian national team. 'This is not just my win — it's a win for Sarawak and Malaysia. I hope my journey inspires young bowlers back home to dream big and work hard, because nothing is impossible,' she told ABAS in an interview. Sarawak officials view Gillian's latest triumph as the result of long years of discipline, determination and unwavering passion for the sport. She stands as proof that local athletes have the talent, spirit and resilience to make their mark on the global stage. bowling Gillian Lim Siew Giok Rookie of the Year
New Straits Times
11 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Bowler Gillian becomes first Malaysian to win PWBA Rookie of the Year
KUALA LUMPUR: Gillian Lim's remarkable debut season on the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour has been capped with the Rookie of the Year title, making her the first Malaysian to receive the honour. The 26-year-old Sarawakian clinched the award after the PWBA Pepsi Open, the penultimate leg of the season, on Saturday. She amassed 37,320 points to finish 22nd in the overall standings, the highest among all rookies, comfortably ahead of 42nd-placed American Jade Cote (23,615). Gillian is also the first international winner since Canada's Valerie Bercier in 2019. "Honestly, I only realised after the US Open that my points were actually quite far ahead, so it was a big surprise," said Gillian, who had initially planned to wrap up her season after the US Women's Open in June. That outing proved a turning point. She came agonisingly close to the top-five stepladder finals, missing out by two spots to finish seventh. It still marked her best result at a PWBA major. It added to an impressive rookie campaign that also featured a joint fifth at the Rock 'n Roll Open, ninth at the Bowlers Journal Waterloo Open, 15th at the Topeka Open, and 13th at the Rochester Open. Her decision to return to the United States for the final stretch — the Rochester Open, Pepsi Open and now the season-ending Tour Championship — was made at the last minute. "I didn't expect to come back, but my coaches encouraged me. They said there was a chance for me and Natasha (Roslan) to make the Tour Championship, so I went for it," she said. It was certainly a meaningful one, with Gillian sealing the Rookie of the Year award at the Pepsi Open. She will now line up alongside Natasha and compatriot Sin Li Jane in the Tour Championship — an exclusive event for the top-24 points finishers of the season. "It motivates me a lot, especially since it's my first season," she said. "Getting this recognition gives me more confidence and drive to keep improving. Playing in the Tour Championship as a rookie is such an honour, and it inspires me to aim even higher next season." The Malaysian trio began their campaign modestly in the first block of eight games on Sunday, with Natasha in 10th place, Gillian in 15th, and Li Jane in 23rd. After 24 games on Monday, only the top five will advance to Tuesday's stepladder finals to contest the US$50,000 (RM211,650) top prize.
