FAIRLAWN — Dick Allen ran through the KIA PBA Tournament of Champions field in Round 1.
And, according to the 43-year-old Lexington, S.C., right-hander, it could have been even better.
Allen averaged 246.17 through his six games to take a 51-pin lead following the opening qualifying round Tuesday at AMF Riviera Lanes.
“A lot of guys tried to go around the oil after they got out of the urethane balls, and I chose not to do that,” said Allen, whose last two PBA titles came during the 2019 season.
“They encountered the friction, their moves were bigger and they would still go everywhere.”
Using his Motiv Forge Flare and Venom Shock balls, Allen instead chose to stay in the oil. Injuries have forced him to smooth out his delivery and lower his ball speed which, he admits, was an advantage.
“I took the approach that when the ball hooked early, I would just find some oil and pick up the speed and run it right back into the oil again,” said Allen, whose best TOC finish under the long format was 10th. “I tried to make it in the oil from the start.”
Houston right-handed two-hander Shawn Maldonado had 234 his final game to jump into second at 1,426 with Bluffton, Ind., right-hander EJ Tackett using games of 279 and 265 to vault into third at 1,392.
Simpsonville,, S.C., right-hander Tommy Jones, who got as high as second, sits fourth at 1,385 while Australian Jason Belmonte, who has made the top five in all four PBA Tour events this season, is fifth at 1,383.
Allen said reducing his ball speed to around 14.5 mph was by choice and necessity.
“I didn’t want to hurt myself any further and not extend myself,” said Allen, who has seven career PBA Tour titles. “With this much oil, it helped. I wasn’t leaving some of the splits I usually do from being too aggressive. It’s probably slower than I’ve ever thrown the ball.”
Allen shot 803 his first three games, opening with 238 before going 289 and 278 to build his advantage. He closed with 222, 239 and 213.
“Game 1 could have been like the other two except for two 10-pins and one really bad shot,” Allen added.
And don’t expect any changes for Round 2.
“It’s just a matter of spotting the ball and making good shots,” Allen said. “My look was pretty good on the fresh (oil). No changes (for tomorrow).”
NOTES: Thomas Larsen tied Allen for high game of the opening round with 289. … The high senior player is Granger, Iowa, right=hander Tom Hess, who is ninth with 1,356. Only one other senior, Mitch Beasley, is in the top 24. … Defending champion Francois Lavoie is 12th with 1,343 after a 187 during his final game. … The second qualifying round begins at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday with the full field again participating. Tickets are $20.
On Twitter: @snierbowl