Nash, Weiss Excel in First Day of 2024 PBA Regional Players Invitational
The PBA Regional Players Invitational (RPI) is the season finale of the PBA Regional Tour season.
Champions of the PBA and PBA50 divisions will earn $15,000 and $10,000, respectively, as well as a berth in their respective Tournament of Champions next season.
All qualifying rounds are livestreamed on BowlTV.
Washington's Evan Nash leads PBA division qualifying through 12 games. Nash averaged more than 236 to accumulate a total pinfall of 2,833 (+433) to lead the 96-player field.
Nash opted to play farther right with a stronger ball and more ball speed on the 42-foot oil pattern.
"It kept me out of trouble," Nash said. "I'd rather the ball burn up and slow down quicker. I pretty much threw one ball all 12 games. It played into my strength and I could throw it harder."
Nash last bowled the RPI two years ago. He missed the cut by one pin.
"I missed a spare that cost me from making the cut," Nash said. "I wanted to come in with a better head and just make it to the next round. (Now), I've got to take it one frame at a time and get every pin I possibly can."
The top 24 PBA division players after 18 games of qualifying will advance to elimination match play. The top eight qualifiers will earn a one-round bye.
The final round of qualifying begins at 1 p.m. Eastern on Saturday with match play rounds beginning at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET.
PBA Division — Round 2 Leaders
- Evan Nash +433
- Manny Ferrell +389
- Ryan Barnes +362
- Mike Ruben +343
- TJ Rock +318
CUT LINE — +182 — Standings
Randy Weiss, who led the opening round of qualifying, continues to pace the PBA50 division field. The South Carolina native shot 2,667 (+267) for his 12 games on the 42-foot oil pattern.
While Weiss produced just one game north of 225 on Friday evening, he managed to keep himself in the pocket and out of trouble.
"The lanes felt different tonight, significantly," Weiss said. "The (ball) felt like it hooked several feet earlier and my ball had a real hard time getting through the pins. I was able to hit the pocket, so I decided not to do anything drastic, keep grinding and try to just out-execute. There's a long way left to go, so I'm trying not to be too aggressive and to stay patient."
As this season's PBA50 Tour Rookie of the Year, Weiss figured to be among the favorites to take home the top prize, but he said he doesn't let outside perceptions cloud his mental game.
"I don't ever think that way, because it doesn't matter when you get to match play," Weiss said. "Anything can happen. Breaks seem to make a difference in a match, so getting one less match to bowl is crucial."
The top 12 players after 18 games of qualifying will advance to elimination match play. The top four qualifiers will earn a one-round bye.
The final round of qualifying begins at 1 p.m. Eastern on Saturday with match play rounds beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.
PBA50 Division — Round 2 Leaders
- Randy Weiss +267
- David Leverage +160
- Clay Rees +151
- Rich Corwin +135
- Rick Graham +113
CUT LINE — +44 — Standings
TOURNAMENT DETAILS
Host center — National Bowling Stadium | Reno, NV
PBA division — Standings | Details
PBA50 division — Standings | Details
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Round 1 Recap
Tournament preview