1st October, Bangkok: Top seed, Cho Young-Seon clinched his first major title after the Korean dispatched challenger and 13-time PBA winner, Chris Barnes over one match in the TV finals of the PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand 2012.

The packed house at Blu-O Paragon were thrilled to an exciting finale and witnessed one of the best finals staged which saw top seed, Cho Young-Seon defeating newly-crowned World Singles champion, Chris Barnes of United States, 234-212.

The Korean started off well with a double but stumbled in the third frame with a split. Barnes too encountered a split himself in the fourth frame to trail his opponent by 19 pins.

Cho bounced back with another double strike in the fourth and fifth frames so did the American pro reeling off three strikes in a row to narrow the gap down to just 10 pins.

But the turning point of the match was when Cho fired four consecutive strikes from frame 7 to shut out Barnes.

"My opponent is the best bowler in the world and I knew that if I don't win the first match, it'll be very hard for me to take the title," said Cho through an interpreter. "I wasn't under any pressure at all and after rolling two strikes in the seventh and eighth frames, I knew I had to strike in the ninth.

"This is my biggest win so far in my career especially in an open tournament. I will take this to build up my confidence for several important official championships next year," added the champion, who won a whopping 1 million Thai Baht (approx. US$32,250).

Barnes, who was seeded No. 2, prevented an all-Korean finals when he ended the Korean fifth seed, Jang Dong-Chul's fine run in the semi-finals, 245-235 to advance into the finals.

"Considering I barely made the Round 4 finals today after a poor final game in yesterday's third round, I'll take the first runner-up spot anytime," said Barnes from Double Oak, Texas, who settled for 500,000 Thai Baht (approx. US$12,000).

"I made a fare bit of adjustments today and it helped me to get off the mark better. I know it was important to finish as top seed and lost it by just one pin. The Korean bowled well and he deserved this victory."

Jang, who earned 300,000 Baht (approx. US$9,600), had earlier took out third seed, Ryan Ciminelli of Cheektowaga, NY., 236-210 in the third match. The second runner-up also eliminated No. 4 seed and PBA Player of the Year, Mika Koivuniemi of Finland and Thailand's Annop Arromsaranon, 257-200-184 in the second match.

The local crowd backed their favourite, Arromsaranon to a victory in the first match against seventh seed, Chris Loschetter of Avon, Ohio and eighth seed, Naif Oqab of UAE, 237-214-209 to advance into the second match.

Koivuniemi took home 100,000 Baht, Arromsaranon 90,000 Baht, Loschetter 85,000 Baht and Oqab 80,000 Baht for finishing fifth to eighth positions respectively.

The champion topped the morning's Round 4 finals with 1421, just 1 pin ahead of Barnes in second with 1420 and Ciminelli third with 1401. Winner of four PBA titles including the 2012 PBA Tournament of Champions, Sean Rash of United States missed the cut by 5 pins.

Top Thai national bowler, Yannaphon Larpapharat finished tenth with 1332, a further 4 pins away while last year's first runner-up, Mike Fagan of USA and defending champion, Jason Belmonte of Australia also failed to make the TV finals.

75 players from more than 12 countries took part in the tenth spot of the PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand which started from September 25 through to October 1. The next two stops for this year's World Bowling Tour will be the Columbia Vienna Open next week and the AMF Australian Masters at the end of October.

The World Tenpin Bowling Association, which is made up of more than 100 bowling federations, governs the sport throughout the world. For more information on WTBA and the World Bowling Tour, visit www.worldtenpinbowling.com.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

30th September, Bangkok: Perfect gamer, Choi Bok-Eum of the Korean National team topped Round 3 finals of the PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand 2012 ahead of Americans, Diandra Asbaty and Chris Loschetter in second and third.

UAE's left-hander, Shaker Al-Hassan set a cracking pace and almost shot the tournament's sixth perfect game with 299 to head the field of 26 finalists with a second lefty, Choi Bok-Eum of Korea in second.

But the Emirati managed only 175 in his second allowing 2012 USBC Queens champion, Diandra Asbaty to take over the running as Choi remained in second, 38 pins adrift and Round 2 second-placed finisher, Tommy Jones of USA a close third.

With another superb game of 246 from Asbaty, the American held the lead but was closed down by the Choi after the Korean rolled a big game of 268.

Choi shot into the lead as he almost rolled the sixth 300 and his second in the tournament when he downed 299 in the fourth game while Asbaty was content to stay in second, 59 pins away.

The new leader closed out the last two games of the round with 242 and 236 to finish atop with 1505, averaging 250.8. Asbaty did well to end with 237 and 245 and reduced the gap to 39 pins with 1466.

PBA pro, Chris Loschetter of USA ended with 267, 278 and 211 in the second half to snatch third spot with 1397 while a second Korean National team member, Jang Dong-Chul finished strongly with 258 to clinch fourth spot with 1395.

Jones rounded out the top 5 with 1371 followed by Round 2 winner, Dan Maclelland of Canada finishing sixth with 1332.

There was a keen and close tussle for the remaining four slots for the top 12 cut. PBA pro, Bill O'Neill of USA was lucky to survive with just 178 in his final game to claim ninth position while newly-crowned World Singles champion, Chris Barnes had a scare rolling only 180 but survived in tenth.

The last two spots went to Sweden's Kim Bolleby in 11th and defending champion, Jason Belmonte almost lost his place when he downed 193 in his final game but squeezed through in 12th position.

Asian Championships Masters gold medalist, Lim Dong-Sung was unlucky to miss the cut in 13th position by just 3 pins while early leader Shaker Al Hassan was 14th, a further 2 pins away. Korea's Choi Yong-Kyu had a split in the last frame of his last game to also miss by 11 pins in 15th position.

The top 12 advanced into tomorrow's Round 4 finals joined by the top 8 seeded qualifiers for a final 6 games from scratch. The top 8 at the end of the round will proceed to the TV Shootout Finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

30th September, Bangkok: Canadian PBA pro, Dan Maclelland won Round 2 finals of the PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand 2012 to lead American PBA pro, Tommy Jones in second and UAE's Shaker Al-Hassan in third.

PBA pro and current WBT Ranked No. 2, Missy Parkin got off the mark with a sizzling 268 to lead the field of 18 finalists in the Round 2 finals followed by Korea's sole national bowler, Jang Dong-Chul and American PBA pro, Tommy Jones sharing second spot.

Parkin kept her lead with 236 and 237 in her next two games, still ahead of Jones in second and Jang slipping to third as Canadian Dan Maclelland moved up to join the leading pack in fourth.

Past the halfway mark, it was Jones who made the running taking over the lead from Parkin in second and UAE's Shaker Al Hassan gradually closing and the Korean slipping down to fourth.

Maclelland fired a scintilating 268 in the sixth and final game to snatch the lead with 1430 total from Jones in second with 1409. Shaker took third spot with 1380 while Parkin managed only 183 to finish behind Jang in fourth spot with 1375.

"I was struggling a bit to post big games during my qualifying rounds and I had watched those who did well how they tackled the lanes," said 27-year-old Maclelland from Montreal in Cananda.

"They were all making their delivery simple so I did the same when I started off this morning with Tommy (Jones). I'm glad it worked for me and I hope to carry this into the next round."

Sweden's Sandra Andersson finished ahead of several strong male counterparts by taking up sixth position with 1356 albeit with an 8-pin handicap for each game.

Surasak Manuwong was the sole Thai to survive this round by making the cut in seventh position with 1354 with a third PBA pro in this round, Bill O'Neill of USA eighth with 1351.

KPBA pro, Jeong Taw-Hwa and UAE's sole finalist, Hareb Al Mansoori joined the next round in ninth and tenth positions with 1346 and 1306 respectively. Last year's TV finalist, Sayed Al Hashemi of UAe missed the cut by 24 pins to finish 11th position with 1282.

Thailand's three other finalists, Atchariya Cheng, Phoemphun Yakasem and Natthida Sertluecha failed to progress finishing 12th, 13th and 17th positions.

The top 10 advanced into the next round and will be joined by qualifiers from positions 9 - 24 for another 6 games all pinfalls dropped. The top 12 at the end of Round 3 will advance to Round 4 schedule for October 1.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

29th September, Bangkok: American PBA pro, Sean Rash shot the tournament's fifth 300 en-route to moving up from seventh to third in the PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand 2012 top 7 bracket of the qualifying table.

Rash, who took the early lead in the qualifying standings two days ago, has been slipping down rapidly after his fellow PBA compatriots, Ryan Ciminelli and Mike Fagan as well as top Thai national, Yannaphon Larpapharat and England's Dominic Barrett moving ahead of him.

But 30-year-old PBA pro bounced back in style after getting off the block at the 3.00pm squad with 279 and then fired the tournament's fifth 300 setting course for a 800 series. However, two open frames cost Rash but still struck out to end with 206 for a superb series of 785.

The effort gave the Amercian a 9-game tally of 2254 moving up from seventh to third behind leader, Ryan Ciminelli in first with 2328 and Yannaphon in second on 2294.

"I got a lucky break in the tenth frame of the 300 game with a high pocket but still had a strike," said Rash, who dedicated his perfect game and the series to his late fellow PBA pro, Tony Reyes, who died from injuries suffered from a car accident in California yesterday.

The sport of bowling was shaken by the tragic news of Reyes' passing. Reyes, 38, who competed in 14 seasons on the PBA Tour, won his lone Tour title in dramatic fashion in the 2006 Motor City Classic in Detroit where he bowled the 18th televised 300 game in PBA history.

Newly-crowned World Singles champion, Chris Barnes of USA cracked into the top 7 bracket by improving his weakest series of 680 with 737 at the 12.00pm squad for a 9-game tally of 2209 for sixth position briefly only to slip down to seventh after Rash's improvement.

Last year's first runner-up, Mike Fagan of USA, who had also dropped out of the top bracket, moved back first into third with 2229 then dropped one place to fourth after Rash took third position.

Barrett dropped one place to fifth on 2225 while Mika Koivuniemi of Finland also dropped one place to sixth on 2213. His compatriot and two-handed Osku Palermaa dropped out into tenth position with 2185 so did Malaysia's Zulmazran Zulkifli down into 11th position with 2155.

The cut at the bottom of the top bracket (positions 1 - 7) is now 400 over as predicted. The current cut at the bottom of the second bracket (positions 10 - 24) is now held by Thailand's Annop Arromsaranon on 2075 (or 275 over) which would go up to 300 by the end of the day.

Korea's Cho Young-Seon made the cut in 25th position to head the third bracket (positions 25 - 38) as several PBA pros, Bill O'Neill, Tommy Jones and Dan Maclelland improved to make the Round 2 finals.

The cut at the bottom of the third bracket is held by India's Dhruv Sarda on 2030 (or 230 over), which was last year's cut off mark. This could go up to 250 over for this year especially with still a fair number of top players yet to make the cut.

Qualifying will end late tonight and a one-game desperado squad will be held for the top 2 scorers to join the Round 3 finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

28th September, Bangkok: Thailand's Yannaphon Larpapharat shot the tournament's fourth perfect game for a splendid 846 series to regain second spot in the qualifying table of the PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand 2012 while Korea's Choi Bok-Eum downed the third 300.

Asian Championships All Events gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand, who had taken the early lead in the qualifying table, had slipped down to sixth after the 4.00pm squad when several big scorer moved into the top bracket.

Multiple Asian Games gold medalist, Choi Bok-Eum of the Korean national team, got off the mark with the tournament's third perfect game. The southpaw then followed it up ith 238 and 237 for a superb 775 series.

At the same squad, Yannaphon got off the mark superbly with 279 and followed it up with another big game of 267. The Thai ended the series with the tournament's fourth 300 and became the second bowler to crack the 800-mark with 846.

Yannaphon's improved series gave him a 9-game aggregate of 2294 moving back up into second spot behind leader, Ryan Ciminelli of USA, who extended his lead this morning with 2328.

England's Dominic Barrett slipped down to third with 2225 so did PBA pro, Mika Koivuniemi of Finland down to fourth with 2213 and Sean Rash of USA down to fifth with 2171.

World Singles quarter-finalist, Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia, who just arrived straight from Cyprus, had three attempts only and did well to roll 779, 703 and 673 for a total of 2155 to occupy sixth position.

Two-handed Osku Palermaa of Finland improved his lowest 3-game series with 701 to clinch the final top bracket spot in seventh position with 2152.

Three PBA pros, Mike Fagan, Chris Loschetter and Rhino Page all fell down to the second bracket (positions 10 - 24) to settle for tenth to 12th positions while perfect gamer No. 3, Choi moved up to 13th position with 2115.

The scores were moving so quickly within a squad. The current cut at the bottom of the second bracket was now held by American Bill O'neill with 2073 (or 270 over) which as predicted could rise to 300 over).

Dan Maclelland of Canada headed the third bracket with 2066 while the current cut at the bottom of the third bracket was held by Thai youngster, Phumin Klanbida with 1969 (or 170 over) which could go up to 250.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

27th September, Bangkok: American southpaw and overnight leader, Ryan Ciminelli of USA extended his lead in the qualifying table of the PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand 2012 cracking the 800-mark with a sizzling 855 series.

Ciminelli, who topped the table with 2187 yesterday, took to the lanes at Blu-O Paragon at the 11.00am squad this morning and got off the mark with a superb 290. The left-hander followed it up with 279 and ended on another big game of 287 to become the first qualifier to crack the 800-mark with 855 series.

His new series took his 9-game tally to a whoping 2328 averaging 258.67 to extend his lead by a hugh margin. The 26-year-old did put in a similar feat at the Redrock tour qualifying rounds two years ago with 300, 279 and 299 for a massive 878.

England's Dominic Barrett was the biggest mover of the day after rolling 761, 738 and 726 to move up into second spot with 2225, 103 pins behind Ceminelli.

Thailand's Yannaphon Larpapharat also dropped to sixth position with 2146 as two-hander Osku Palermaa of Finland made the top bracket with 2146 for seventh position.

Amercian PBA pros, Chris Loschetter and another southpaw, Rhino Page headed the second bracket 2122 and 2117 in tenth and 11th positions behind two slots allocated to local qualifiers, Atchariya Cheng and Phoemphun Yakasem claiming eighth and ninth positions respectively.

The current cut in 24th position in the bottom of the second bracket (positions 10 - 24) was held by Emirati, Hussain Al Suwaidi with 2059 or slightly 250 over. This could rise up to 300 over by the end of tomorrow's qualifying rounds.

Defending champion, Jason Belmonte of Australia finished 16th position with 2085. The best of the Korean national team member was Jang Dong-Chul in 14th position with 2096.

Americans, Diandra Asbaty and Missy Parkin were the best women qualifiers in 13th and 18th positions on 2107 and 2060 respectively while Angkana Netrviseth was Thailand's best women qualifier in 20th position with 2080.

The current cut in 38th position in the bottom of the third bracket (positions 25 - 38) was held by Thailand's second women, Natthida Sertluecha with 1957 or slightly 150 over. Again this could go up to as much as 250 over. Last year's cut was 235 over.

Meanwhile, KPBA pro, Choi Won-Young rolled the tournament's second perfect game during his qualifying rounds at the 1.00pm squad but managed only 672 series and has yet to make the cut. His compatriot, Jeong Tae-Hwa shot the first 300 yesterday and has still to qualify.

Other notable pros were recently crowned World Singles champion, Chris Barnes of USA who has rolled only two series of 727 and 675. Qualifying will end tomorrow (September 29). A one-game desperado squad will be held at the end to add two additional qualifiers for Round 2 finals.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

27th September, Bangkok: PBA pros continued to make an impact at the qualifying rounds of the PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand 2012 with Ryan Ciminelli and Mike Fagan cracking into the top 7 bracket.

Ciminelli, who was second runner-up at last year's championship, rocketted into the lead with three scintilating series of 743, 730 and 714 to take over the leaderboard with 2187 and dislodged overnight leader and compatriot, Sean Rash into second spot.

The 26-year-old southpaw from Cheetowaga, N.Y., who had lost to Rash in last year's semi-finals, lost to him again at this year's PBA Tournament of Champions. And being able to adapt to the conditions here much better, Ciminelli will be hoping to reverse his fortune in the finals.

Early leader and Asian Championships All Events gold medalist, slipped down one more place into third with 2146 while last year's first runner-up and this year's USBC Masters champion, Mike Fagan moving up into third fourth with 2097.

Best Asian overseas qualifier was UAE's Naif Oqab taking up fifth spot with 2087 while two Thais, Phoemphun Yakasem and national youth member, Atchariya Cheng rounded out the top 7 in sixth and seventh positions.

Thai national team member, Annop Arromsaranon earned a Round 4 place being the best local qualifier outside the top bracket in eighth position with 2075 while ex-national and Thailand Open champion, Surasak Manuwong finished ninth to earn a spot in Round 3 finals with 2056.

World Youth two bronze medalist, Kim Bolleby of Sweden headed the second bracket (positions 10 - 24) in tenth position with 2085 while this year's USBC Qeueens champion, Diandra Asbaty of USA was the top women qualifier in 11th position with 2060.

The current cut at 24th position was held by AMF World Cup-bound Hareb Al Mansoori of UAE on 1972. The Emirati missed the perfect game in his 4.00pm round with 298. The current cut at 38th position is just 56 over and was held by Thailand's Wuttinan Muangsiri on 1856.

Korean professional and former PBA pro, Jeong Tae-Hwa rolled the first 300 at the same 4.00pm squad but has yet to make the cut with only two attempts.

Other notable PBA pros were current World Bowling Tour ranking leader, Mika Koivuniemi of Finland, who impressed with 727 in his first attempt but an average 639 in his second try. Two-hander, Osku Palermaa of Finland rolled 747 in his only first effort and will surely be in the running for the top bracket.

The Korean national team comprising of 7 men bowlers have also arrived and have taken to the lanes for their qualifying rounds. 2011 Thailand Open champion, Lee Ik-Kyu was Korea's best performer so far with 692 and 673.

2009 AMF World Cup champion, Choi Yong-Kyu was next with 678 and 664 while multiple Asian Games gold medalist, Choi Bok-Eum was third best with 698 and 642.

By the end of qualifying rounds today, the Koreans will surely be amongst the second and third brackets qualifiers.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

26th September, Bangkok: PBA Tournament of Champion winner, Sean Rash of United States took over the lead of the qualifying leaderboard of the PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand 2012 on Wednesday.

Rash, who was second after his first day at the championship with 2126, notched up an improved third series of 702 for a 9-game aggregate of 2171 for the lead. The Amercian PBA pro had 750 and 719 in his two other series.

After ending a four year drought by winning the PBA Tournament of Champions title, the 30-year-old from Montgomery, Ill., who also finished second in last week's Samho Cup in Korea, will be hoping to extend his fine form in the finals. Rash finished in a disappointing eighth position last year despite topping the Round 3 finals.

Overnight leader and Asian Championships All Events gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand dropped to second on 2146 while Emirati Naif Oqab improved with a 694 series to move up to third with 2087.

Phoemphun Yakasem of Thailand also slipped down one rung to fourth on a total of 2085 followed by World Youth Doubles and Team bronze medalist, Kim Bolleby of Sweden rolling a high series of 731 to take up fifth in the table with 2082.

Thai national kegler, Annop Arromsaranon and this year's Thailand Open champion, Surasak Manuwong rounded out the top 7 in sixth and seventh positions with 2075 and 2056 respectively.

This year's Sinai Open champion and top local qualifier, Angkana Netvriseth occupied eighth spot with 2037 while Thai youngster, Atchariya Cheng finished ninth with 1984.

Two-time Singapore Open champion and Asian Championship Team bronze medalist, Shaker Al Hassan of UAE headed the second bracket in tenth position with 1990.

Several PBA pros have made their first few attempts, notably last year's second runner-up, Ryan Ciminelli of USA who had two tries and knocking down 743 and 631. Defending champion, Jason Belmonte of Australia also had two attempts rolling 666 and 591.

This year's USBC Queens champion and dubutant, Diandra Asbaty of USA had two rounds with 670 and 577 while another PBA pro, Rhino Page had one promising 661 series in his only attempt. 2011 Kuwait Open champion, Chris Loschetter of USA and his compatriot, Missy Parkin had one attempt each.

Last year's cut for the top bracket (Round 4 finals) was 400 over and the cut for the second bracket (Round 3 finals) was 300 over. The cut for the Round 2 finals was 230 over.

Qualifying will continue to run through to September 29 and the Round 2 to Round 4 finals will run from September 30 to October 1.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.

25th September, Bangkok: 2012 Asian Championships All Events gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand took the early lead in the qualifying rounds of the PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand 2012 underway at Blu-O Paragon.

Fresh from a superb outing at the 22nd Asian Championships in Hong Kong early this month, Thai top national bowler, Yannaphon Larpapharat followed up his fine form by taking the early lead in the qualifying rounds.

Yannaphon downed 734, 714 and 698 in his three best 3-games qualifying series to top the table with 2146 pinfalls. His team-mate, Phoemphum Yakasem did well to finish second with 2085 from 728, 691 and 666 series.

This year's Thailand Open champion, Surasak Manuwong is placed third in the table with 2056 ahead of the best women qualifier and this year's Sinai Open champion, Angkana Netvriseth with 2037, thanks to an 8-pin handicap for competing againsts the men.

Annop Arromsaranon finished fifth with 2026 while the top overseas competitor, Naif Oqab of UAE took sixth position with 2023, just 3 pins adrift. Thai national youth, Atchariya Cheng rounded out the top 7 with 1984.

2011 Asian Schools Doubles gold medalist, Natthida Serluecha was Thailand's top qualifier outside the top 7 bracket, taking up eighth position with 1957, which will earn her an automatic entry into Round 4 finals.

Thawatchai Thanasang will also earn automatic entry into Round 3 finals as top local qualifier and in ninth position with 1948.

Positions 1 to 7 plus the top local qualifier in eighth position will earn automatic entry into Round 4 finals. Positions 9 (reserved for Thai qualifier) to 24 will qualify for Round 3 finals.

Positions 25 to 38, together with the top 2 local seeded qualifiers (positions 39 & 40) and two qualifiers from the Desperado squad (positions 41 & 42) will have to battle it out over 6 games in Round 3 finals.

The top 10 finishers will be joined by qualifiers from positions 9 to 24 in Round 3 finals for another 6 games scratch. The top 12 finishers will then advance into Round 4 finals together with qualifiers from positions 1 to 8 in the standings for 6 games scratch.

The top 8 at the end of Round 4 finals will advance into the TV Shootout Finals. The sixth to eighth seeds will meet in the first match with the winner advancing to face the fourth and fifth seeds in the secomd match.

Winner of the second match will face the third seed in the third match. Winner of the third match will face the second seed in the fourth match. And finally the winner of the fourth match will face the top seed over a beat twice format.

The champion could walk away with the top prize of 1 million Thai Baht (approx. US$32,360) with the first runner-up taking home 500,000 Baht (approx. US$12,130). The second runner-up will earn 300,000 Baht (apprx. US$9,600).

The PBA Tour-World Bowling Tour Thailand 2012 is the 10th stop of this year's PBA-WTBA World Bowling Tour. The World Bowling Tour is made up of various events around the world and players earn points based on how they finish in each event.

The top three men and top three women will be invited to compete in the World Bowling Tour Finals presented by the Professional Bowlers Association at the end of 2012.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Bangkok.