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Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Singapore bowler New Hui Fen wins third PWBA Tour title with BowlTV Open victory
Singapore's New Hui Fen (left) pipped teammate Cherie Tan (right) to the Professional Women's Bowling Association BowlTV Open on May 31. PHOTO: SINGAPORE BOWLING FEDERATION SINGAPORE – A familiar showdown unfolded at the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) BowlTV Open in the US on May 31, as Singaporeans New Hui Fen and Cherie Tan faced off in the title match. It was a rematch of last year's BowlTV Classic final, where Tan emerged victorious. But New did not let that defeat weigh her down. Keeping her focus firmly on the present at Yorktown Lanes in Parma Heights, Ohio, she defeated top seed Tan 233-206 pinfalls to lift her third career PWBA title. The 33-year-old said: 'I'm feeling very happy. I haven't gotten the time to process the win fully yet. For now, it means that my hard work has paid off. 'My focus during the match was on the ball motion I had on the lanes – it is me against the lanes and my scores versus my opponent. I will give my best regardless who I compete against.' After finishing fifth in qualifying with a 2,811 total, New finished the two matchplay rounds with a 9-3 record, securing the second seed in the stepladder finals. In the semi-finals, New faced off against American Shannon Pluhowsky, the fourth seed, who had defeated the fifth-seeded Jordan Snodgrass (225-213) and third seed Kelly Kulick (211-171). Edging out Pluhowsky 224-217, New advanced to the championship match, setting up an all-Singaporean contest for the title. While the match started evenly with both bowlers making three strikes in the first four frames, it was New who pulled ahead to pip Tan for the trophy and the US$10,000 (S$12,900) winner's cheque. Tan earned US$5,000 as first runner-up. Reflecting on the tournament, New said: 'I was consistent throughout qualifying and matchplay. I had to really make quick and sharp decisions during matchplay to keep striking as the scores were high for everyone.' New's win in Ohio comes less than a year after her previous PWBA Tour victory – the Greater Detroit Open in August 2024. She was also fifth at the season-ending 2024 PWBA Tour Championship. She credited the support from Singapore Bowling Federation (SBF) and the Sport Excellence Scholarship for her recent performances, adding that strength and conditioning, and recovery are aspects she has focused on. She noted that competing on the PWBA Tour and working with technical consultant Shawn Ryan have also improved her tactical understanding. Playing alongside her teammates has also helped. She said: 'We will share information about the lanes and how to best play each different condition – we learn and grow with each other.' New's title is the second one by a Singaporean in the 2025 PWBA Tour. In May, Shayna Ng won the Go Bowling Topeka Open for her third career PWBA victory. SBF president Valerie Teo hailed New's achievement, commending her composure, discipline and skill during the stepladder finals. She said New and Ng's back-to-back successes, on top of Darren Ong's PBA triumph just a month earlier, are 'compelling evidence of our athletes' ability to compete and win, at the highest levels of the sport'. 'They affirm Singapore's growing reputation as a rising force in international bowling,' she said. With the PWBA Rock 'n' Roll Open, Bowlers Journal Waterloo Open and US Women's Open remaining in the Singaporeans' campaign, Teo is excited to see what they can accomplish. More than trophies, she also hopes the experience will benefit up-and-coming bowlers like Arianne Tay, who finished ninth at the BowlTV Open. She said: 'We look forward to seeing how this tour continues to foster growth and not just in results, but also in mentorship and development as younger bowlers gain experience and guidance from senior teammates.' Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
16-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Gillian within striking distance of US Open stepladder finals
KUALA LUMPUR: Bowler Gillian Lim remained firmly in contention for a spot in the stepladder finals at the US Women's Open after delivering a solid performance in the first round of match play in Lincoln, Nebraska. The 26-year-old sits seventh overall with a 40-game total of 8,204 pinfalls, just 46 pins shy of the current top-five cut heading into the final two match play rounds. Gillian, who picked up five wins from eight matches on Sunday, will continue to carry Malaysia's hopes alongside Natasha Roslan, who is 12th with 8,141 pinfalls and four match wins. Each win awards a 30-pin bonus, keeping both bowlers in the frame for a late push. The top five after 56 games will qualify for Tuesday's televised stepladder finals at Sun Valley Lanes. "It was a tough oiling pattern today," said Gillian. "Probably ball changes and line adjustments need to be fast." Unlike regular assignments with the national team, Gillian is navigating the PWBA Tour on her own, but she credited her equipment team for their on-site support. "We've got ball representatives here with us. I'm with MOTIV, so they have specialists assigned to support professional bowlers during competitions like this," she explained. "They help us with equipment, choosing the right ball for the lane condition, and also suggest where to play on the lane and when to make adjustments." American Maryssa Carey leads the standings with 8,604, followed by Colombia's Rocio Restrepo (8,388), Lauren Russo (8,315), Jordan Snodgrass (8,299) and New Hui Fen of Singapore (8,250). Earlier in the day, both Gillian and Natasha had advanced to the 24-woman match play round after finishing fourth and eighth respectively in the fourth and final qualifying block. However, it was the end of the road for defending champion Sin Li Jane, who fell short in 30th place, while Nora Lyana Nastasia Norkamal concluded her campaign in 32nd.
New Straits Times
15-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Gillian leads charge, Li Jane stays alive at US Open
KUALA LUMPUR: National bowler Gillian Lim produced her strongest performance yet on the PWBA Tour by finishing second overall after 24 games of qualifying at the US Women's Open in Lincoln, Nebraska on Saturday. 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.
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Bowler Arianne Tay wins Singapore International Open for third senior title
SINGAPORE – Having returned from a tournament in the United States just a week ago, national bowler Arianne Tay did not feel confident about her game as she headed into the Singapore International Open. The month-long schedule at the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour meant that the 20-year-old had limited practice on the competition lanes at the SingaporeBowling @ Rifle Range, and she was not in peak physical condition. Her worries proved unfounded on June 13, when she defeated Malaysia's Lavinia Kho 245-176, 244-193 in the women's Open grand final to claim her third senior individual title. After her win in the step-ladder event, Tay said: 'There was a lot of worry and doubt, and throughout the days of bowling, I still continued doubting myself. I wasn't sure of myself, so today's performance made me a bit more confident. 'I have to give myself some credit that the hard work that I've put in on and off the lanes has paid off – it's a confirmation that what I'm doing is helping and I'm on the right track.' Working with her coaches helped ease Tay's concerns, particularly when it came to converting spares, a scenario that made her tense as she did not want to miss. Despite her fears, she had a strong showing at the Singapore International Open after a six-game roll-off where she tallied a 1,333-pinfall total, just 35 pinfalls behind top seed Kho. Arianne Tay claimed her third senior individual title at the Singapore International Open on June 13. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Teammates Nur Irdina Hazly (1,325) and Jermaine Seah (1,307) completed the top four to qualify for the step-ladder finals. The second-seeded Tay began her campaign with a convincing 206-130 victory over Seah in the semi-finals, setting up a clash with Kho in the grand final. She took the first game 245-176 and overcame an early setback in the second, recovering from an open frame in the first after a split to score eight strikes and seal the title. She also pocketed the top prize of $15,000. Tay credited her recent stint on the PWBA Tour for helping her refine her game – she approached the tournament as a learning opportunity and even finished ninth in the BowlTV Open in May, won by compatriot New Hui Fen. While she was pleased with her performance, she acknowledged that there is still plenty of room for improvement. She pointed to her performance at the Malaysian International Open in May, when she did not advance past the qualifying round, as a reminder of the sport's unpredictability. Tay said: 'I don't think I should be letting these results affect the rest of the competition too much. 'It's something that I can relish for this little while, be happy with my result and know that the work I put in has paid off, but it's not consistent because look at Malaysia. 'Going to PWBA helped me learn, I was happy with my results and then coming here. 'Bowling is just very erratic, there's always ups and downs, so I'll take every competition like it's a new competition, the way I take every shot by just focusing on the shot itself.' Malaysia's Rafiq Ismail completed a hat-trick of men's Open titles in Singapore. The second seed defeated compatriot Megat Zaqrul Haiqal 243-221, 193-190 in the final to claim the $25,000 prize. Malaysia's Rafiq Ismail completed a hat-trick of men's open titles in Singapore. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG It was a breakthrough for the 27-year-old, who finished runner-up in his last three finals at the national championships, IBF World Cup and Professional Bowlers Association's Scorpion Championship. 'I'm really speechless. I thought I lost already when I opened three frames (in the second game) and I just thought to myself to try my best,' said Rafiq, who also won the Singapore title in 2017 and 2019. 'I've finished second three times and if I'd finished second again this time, I would've been very upset so this is a boost.' The 2018 world champion also dedicated his triumph to his father, who has been battling heart and kidney illness, saying: 'This is definitely one of the wins that I'm going to remember because my father is sick back home and every throw, I kept thinking of him and that was a boost for me. 'I dedicate this win to him.' Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Li Jane vows to bounce back after Triple Crown miss at USBC Queens
KUALA LUMPUR: Sin Li Jane came agonisingly close to completing a historic 'Triple Crown' on the PWBA Tour in the United States but had to settle for second place at the USBC Queens on Tuesday. Li Jane, who had already won the US Women's Open and PWBA Tour Championship last year, was aiming to complete a rare sweep of all three major titles. However, she fell short in the one-game final at the Suncoast Bowling Centre in Las Vegas, losing 211-198 to American top seed Josie Barnes. It was Li Jane's second runner-up finish at the tournament, having also finished second in 2016. Despite the near miss, it was still a proud moment for Malaysian bowling as debutant Nur Hazirah Ramli made it two Malaysians in the top three. Hazirah, the second seed, was defeated 235-211 by Li Jane in the semi-finals. Seeded fourth, Li Jane began her televised title playoff campaign with a narrow 238-236 victory over Colombia's Clara Guerrero, the fifth seed. Li Jane took home a substantial prize purse of US$30,000 (RM128,500) for her efforts, while Hazirah earned US$22,000 (RM94,200). Li Jane was not disheartened with the result. She vowed to bring this strong momentum into the next event. "I'm still proud of what I achieved this week," said Li Jane. "It wasn't to be this time, but there's always another chance. I'll build on this performance and stay focused on having another strong season like 2024." Hazirah, too, remained upbeat, knowing that there's still plenty of opportunities coming up. It's worth noting that Hazirah was playing in the US for the first time, and in her very first start, she nearly accomplished her life-long dream. "It's always been a dream since I was 11 or 12 to become a world and PWBA champion," said Hazirah. "Even though I didn't get the win this time, I'm proud of how far I've come. "It all started with a promise I made to my coach, and every day since, I've worked hard for moments like this. I'm just excited to see where the journey takes me next." The national bowlers, except Hazirah and Nur Syazwani Sahar, will turn their focus to next stop the PWBA Summer Series - the Cleveland Open, BowlTV Open and Rock 'n' Roll Open.
