USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS – Brad Miller of Lee’s Summit, Mo., rolled 30 strikes across his singles set Thursday at the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships to take the lead in Regular Singles with an 815 series.
The 34-year-old right-hander had games of 299, 247 and 269 at the South Point Bowling Plaza, and he tossed the final nine strikes in Game 3 to surpass the 806 posted by Joe Barket of Morro Bay, California, on April 5.
A couple of Brooklyn strikes while trying to find the right reactive ball in his bag allowed Miller to put together an early double to start singles, and his third choice let him settle in and make a run at 300 in Game 1. He left a 3 pin on his final delivery.
He started Game 2 with a spare before missing a single pin in the second frame. He followed the open with six consecutive strikes and added a spare in the ninth. He closed Game 2 with three strikes in the 10th frame.
Game 3 started with a strike, followed by back-to-back single-pin conversions in the second and third frames. Miller quickly found himself in a must-strike situation starting in the fourth frame, with any miss before the fill ball meaning Barket would retain the top spot.
The Professional Bowlers Association Tour standout responded with the strikes he needed, and he officially secured the lead with the strike on his fill shot.
There now are seven 800s at the 2024 USBC Open Championships, with four of the sets occurring in singles. Miller also owns the highest series in any event at the 2024 tournament.
Miller, who recorded a third-place finish at the 2022 USBC Masters, added 670 in team and 659 in doubles for a 2,144 all-events total. He’s currently in 14th place in Regular All-Events, while Derek Magno of Cicero, NY., leads with 2,255.
ANDERSON HAS SECOND 300
Matthew Anderson has become very familiar with throwing strikes inside the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa since moving to Las Vegas more than 10 years ago, and he was able to toss a few more Wednesday during his doubles set.
The 33-year-old right-hander became the 43rd bowler in tournament history to record multiple 300 games at the event with his perfect showing in Game 2 at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
The performance also allowed him to match his brother and doubles partner at the 2024 event – 2018 Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year Andrew Anderson – with two perfect games at the USBC Open Championships.
On Wednesday, Anderson started doubles with 169 before making a ball change late in Game 1. The change resulted in 12 strikes in Game 2, and he continued strong in Game 3 with 236 for a 705 series. Andrew added 707 to their doubles score for a final tally of 1,412 to move into the top 20 of Regular Doubles at the 2024 event.
Shawn Evans and Nicholas Fisher of Palm Bay, Florida, lead Regular Doubles with 1,531.
Matthew’s first 300 at the Open Championships took place during his team event at the 2014 event in Reno, Nev.
Andrew matched him with his first 300 during singles at the 2019 Open Championships, and he recorded his second perfect game at the 2022 tournament during his team event. Both the 2019 and 2022 events were held at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
At the 2021 event, Andrew rolled an 802 series at the South Point Bowling Center to win Regular Singles at the Open Championships.
Matthew has been a force at the Bowlers Journal Championships in recent years as well, and he joined Team USA’s Darren Tang to share the victory in Open Doubles at the 2021 event held at The Orleans Bowling Center in Las Vegas.
Watch the interview below with both Matthew and Andrew discussing Matthew’s performance and more from South Point.
Matthew closed his 12th tournament appearance with 679 in team and 649 in singles for a 2,033 all-events total. Andrew added 741 in singles and 629 in team for 2,077.
TEXAS BOWLER ADDS 300
Steve Lemke of Nacogdoches, Texas, has been a strong competitor during his time on the lanes, and he recorded his first 300 game at the tournament Tuesday at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
The 39-year-old right-hander started his team set with 203 before connecting on every shot in Game 2 for the second 300 in team competition this year in Las Vegas. He finished with 169 for a 672 series.
Lemke’s 300 was the 19th of the 2024 event, but only he and Sean Black of Middleburg Heights, Ohio, have posted a perfect game during the team event.
Through his first 16 appearances at the USBC Open Championships, Lemke had averaged more than 208 on the tournament lanes but still was in search of a breakthrough performance.
The work put in by his talented two-team group during warmup allowed the lanes to open up nicely, and Lemke was able to execute to put himself in position for a big number.
“We started with throwing plastic down the middle, trying to give us a little hold, along with throwing a lot of surface up 5-6-7, give or take, because we knew the track area was going to be in play here,” Lemke said. “We set up the pattern the way we liked. I made some great shots, and then the transition just did its thing on me in the third game. Other than that, I thought we set up the lanes really nice and just needed to make a bigger move going into Game 3.”
Lemke took a little extra time as he approached his final few shots of Game 2, appreciating the significance of the moment.
“Going into the 10th, since I haven’t had one out here, I had to take a deep breath and hone in on what I know best,” Lemke said. “I didn’t realize how much I was lofting it, to be honest with you, but at the same time, I executed the shot and put it close to the area where it was supposed to be.”
The game helped Lemke place his name in the event’s record book, and he’ll now join several of his teammates in being recognized as a tournament celebrity moving forward for his honor score.
In addition to the on-lane talent within the group, Lemke credits the support he receives from them in helping him succeed.
“It’s a fun group that I’ve known for a lot of years, and I think that’s what makes bowling fun – having a great group around you,” Lemke said. “They support you no matter what, and I think that’s what it boils down to. When I come out here, the group around me helps put me to another level. It’s just a fun time being out at nationals, and when you’re with a bunch of great bowlers, you’re just trying to put up a number like everyone else. I was thankful to at least put up one good game.”
Lemke returned to the lanes Wednesday for minors, and he made a run at a second perfect game at the Bowling Plaza. He rolled eight strikes to start his singles set, before a 9 pin stood on his ninth delivery on the way to 268. He added 244 and 213 for a 725 series, the highest in his tournament career.
He finished with 621 in doubles for an all-events tally of 2,018.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.