July 16, 2024 Nolan Hughes

Mika Koivuniemi earned the nickname “Major Mika” during his illustrious PBA Tour career and through two rounds of the Bud Moore PBA50 Players Championship, he’s proving why he still deserves the moniker.

Koivuniemi leads the third major and eighth title event of the 2024 PBA50 Tour at Bowl America Bull Run in Manassas, Va. The 57-year-old native of Finland shot a 1,389 six-game series on Tuesday to raise his total to 2,744 (+344). He leads the 115-player field by 

Jon Rakoski could have usurped Koivuniemi Tuesday evening, but missed a 10-pin in his final frame. Rakoski, John Janawicz, Steve Gagnon and Liz Johnson round out the top five.

“So far, so good,” Koivuniemi said. “I had a couple problems the first two games today; I never doubled the first game or second game. But then I got good breaks the last two games, so I guess they all even out.”

This is Koivuniemi’s third event of the season. He obliterated the field in the season opener, leading the field by nearly 300 pins for 14 games. An early exit in match play gave Koivuniemi a ninth-place finish, then he added a seventh-place finish in the USBC Senior Masters.

“I’m here to win, not just to finish in seventh,” Koivuniemi said.

Another player who always plays to win is Johnson, a 26-time PWBA Tour champion, including 10 majors, and the 2017 PBA Chameleon Championship victor.

“It would be amazing to get a title, no matter where you’re bowling,” Johnson said. “But my philosophy has always been 'one step at a time, one game at a time.' I want to get through these next six games tomorrow and hopefully make the top 24. Because once you get to match play, you can go from 24th to first and vice versa.”

Johnson added the calming atmosphere of the PBA50 Tour has helped keep her swing loose this week.

"It’s a very unique, nice and relaxed atmosphere out here. I showed up and saw a lot of guys I used to bowl against in the past and the past few years, and they welcomed me with open arms. I think that helped me bowl well and just have fun.” she said. “I was in my comfort zone today and ended up having the right ball in my hand. I took advantage of my carry and made some really good shots over the last few days, filling my frames. Scores were high overall and I just felt loose.”

Johnson will look to stay loose as she and B-squad take on the double-burn squad for Wednesday’s third round of competition. After Wednesday’s final round of qualifying — with C-squad competing at 9 a.m. Eastern, A-squad at 12:30 p.m. and B-squad at 4 p.m. — the top 24 players will advance to round-robin match play beginning on Thursday.

James Camptbell (+220) currently sits in 24th place.

The stepladder finals will be held Friday evening at the private lanes inside Bill Moore’s home.

All rounds will be livestreamed on BowlTV.

Round 2 Leaders

  1. Mika Koivuniemi, 2,744 (+344)
  2. Jon Rakoski, 2,742 (+342)
  3. John Janawicz, 2,735 (+335)
  4. Steve Gagnon, 2,731 (+331)
  5. Liz Johnson, 2,731 (+331)
  6. Michael Haggitt, 2,727 (+327)
  7. Brian LeClair, 2,715 (+315)
  8. Jason Couch, 2,711 (+311)
  9. Tom Adcock, 2,693 (+293)
  10. Todd Kjell, 2,692 (+292)

More information on the 2024 Bud Moore PBA50 Players Championship, including complete standings, are available here.