Scattered Thoughts: US Open Day 4
EJ Tackett leads and Jake Peters climbs as match play gets underway at the US Open.
Local standout EJ Tackett is having one hell of a week at the US Open. He led by almost 300 pins after 32 games of qualifying, and leads by over 200 after the first round of round-robin match play. You can view the full standings here.
1. Jake. Peters.
I’m running out of words to describe what this man is doing on and off the lanes. Let him tell you himself.
2. Blast from the past
At the first Tough Shots Tour youth event I ever bowled, I shot 300 in the first round of match play. Bryan Hahlen beat me the next round. He’s gone on to achieve much greater things in this sport — like making match play at the US Open! — but that will always stick with me.
3. TD is proving me wrong already
I predicted Tom Daugherty would be the biggest name to miss the PBA Playoffs, which looks like it will be true for exactly one tournament. He’s climbed into 3rd place with 16 games to go. We’re one step closer to him personally calling me out on live TV, though.
4. Dombroski stays hot
On a related note: I compared Dombrowski's potential breakout age-40+ season to Daugherty’s 2021 campaign in my PBA.com article earlier this week. The Ohio man has channeled Joe Burrow’s confidence and it’s carrying over to the lanes.
5a. Updated finals prediction
EJ Tackett — currently 1st
Anthony Simonsen — 4th
Jason Belmonte — 6th
Jake Peters — 2nd
Tom Daugherty — 3rd
5b. The finals I want to see
Jake Peters
EJ Tackett
Anthony Simonsen
Jason Belmonte
AJ Johnson