July 23, 2020 spopp

Jupiter, Fla. – The King of the Lanes six-part series on FS1 came down to an exciting finish with Kris Prather’s reign as King just getting started. Prather outlasted King Sean Rash and battled for the crown in the final contenders match against Pete Weber.

Three-time title winner and 2020 PBA Strike Derby Champion Kris Prather began his night by defeating PWBA’s Gazmine Mason, 230-194 in the first Contenders Match. Mason led the match leading up to the ninth frame, but missed a single spare conversion in the 10th which ultimately cost her. Prather took advantage and struck out during his last four shots for the win. Prather moved on to bowl 15-time title winner Sean Rash and captured the crown by defeating Rash, 243-213.

With a new King on the throne for the third time of the series, two new contenders took to the lanes for the ultimate royal battle – 37-time title winner and PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber and six-time title winner Kyle Troup, who won his last title at the 2020 PBA Tour Finals on Sunday. Weber, known for his showmanship on the lanes, had fun with his young opponent, copying his signature style and donning an afro wig as soon as the match got underway. Weber then started off shaky with a 3-4-6-7-10 split, but rebounded with six strikes in a row to defeat Troup, 235-227.

With the final King match set, Prather and Weber took to the lanes and did not disappoint. After seven frames, the match was even, but Weber caught a tough break in the eighth frame leaving a seven-pin. With an opportunity to take the lead, Prather responded with a strike in the ninth frame and secured the win, 279-226.

“It’s an honor just to bowl against Pete on TV,” said Prather about bowling Weber. “For him to have such high praise for me, it just feels incredible. I never thought that someone of his caliber would have such high regard for me as a bowler.”

12 worthy contenders and 4 Kings later, the 2020 PBA King of the Lanes three-night event ends with Prather’s reign.

“As far as winning goes, it’s going to be so much fun getting on all my friends nerves having them call me King,” said Prather.

The PBA King of the Lanes series’ Golden Strike promotion, sponsored by Go Bowling!, added one final Golden Strike (a strike when the head pin is gold) thrown by Weber. With seven strikes thrown throughout the series, fans can get seven free games of bowing at participating centers, redeemable at GoBowling.com/FreeAmerica.

Results Night 1

Contenders Match 1
Norm Duke def. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 266-211

King Match 1
Duke def. Wes Malott, 248-219. Duke is the new King.

Contenders Match 2
Anthony Simonsen def. EJ Tackett, 217-193

King Match 2
Simonsen vs. Duke, 198-185. Duke remains King.

Results Night 2

Contenders Match 3
Sean Rash def. Bill O’Neill, 256-227

King Match 3
Rash def. Norm Duke, 262-255. Rash is the new King.

Contenders Match 4
Clara Guerrero def. Jakob Butturff, 204-195

King Match 4
Rash def. Guerrero, 289-237. Rash remains King.

Results Night 3

Contenders Match 5
Kris Prather def. Gazmine Mason, 230-194

King Match 5
Prather def. Sean Rash, 243-213. Prather is the new king.

Contenders Match 6
Pete Weber def. Kyle Troup, 235-227

King Match 6
Prather def. Weber, 279-226. Prather remains king.

With health and safety top of mind, the PBA is following local and federal guidelines on COVID-19. The PBA is significantly modifying event procedures as well as taking all necessary precautions to reduce health risks for players and staff during competition. For a complete list of standards, please visit pba.com.

About the PBA
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated to the sport of bowling and its professional competition, with thousands of members and millions of fans throughout the world. The PBA plays host to bowling’s biggest tournaments from the Go Bowling! PBA Tour, PBA Regional Tour, and PBA50 Tour. In 2019, the PBA was acquired by Bowlero Corporation, the world’s largest owner and operator of bowling entertainment centers with more than 300 locations throughout North America. For more information, please visit PBA.com.

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