By BILL SNIER
FAIRLAWN — Brandon Bonta speaks with the calm confidence of a 10-year veteran who is just trying to deal with the weekly grind of the Professional Bowlers Association Tour.
This comes just nine weeks after the 23-year-old Wichita State University rookie right-hander became just the fifth PBA player to roll a 300 in his television debut — and only the second to do so in a championship match.
Bonta, who travels and rooms with former college teammates Ryan Barnes and TJ Rock, another rookie in CJ Perrin and four-year “veteran” Eric Jones, defeated four-time PBA Player of the Year EJ Tackett 300-238 to win his debut event at the PBA Players Championship in February.
“A lot of things really haven’t changed even though I won,” said Bonta, a three-time All-American and 2023 Team USA member. “I still feel I’m competing every week trying to make checks like everyone else.
“Even though I had one really good week, I’m still trying to get those weeks in succession and then build on that momentum.”
He has cashed in five of his eight events, falling short by one spot of also making the top five at the USBC Masters. His earnings of $123,666 already has eclipsed the rookie mark established by his roommate Barnes last season.
Now comes the second 2026 major — the PBA Tournament of Champions — at famed AMF Riviera Lanes.
“I really didn’t have any nerves. I just came to bowl another PBA tournament, even though it is an historic event,” said Bonta, who averaged 241 through the first 12 qualifying games to lead a 72-player field after Day 1.
“I’ve been throwing the ball pretty well the last few weeks. I’m just excited to get out here and compete again after having a couple of days off following the (Roth-Holman) doubles. I came in excited to compete and it has carried on for the first 12 games.”
Using a combination of the Storm Bionic and IQ Tour AI, Bonta did not have a game under 210 on the evening shift and averaged 244 to take the top spot with 2,893, 44 pins ahead of another first-time winner in Canada native and Kansas City, Mo., two-handed righty Zach Wilkins (2,849).
The remainder of the top five include pre-tournament qualifier Tim Foy Jr. (2,849), former TOC champion Kris Prather (2,804) and first-round qualifying leader Mitch Hope (2,778).
Bonta was 100 percent on spare shooting all day, getting nine pins or better on 88 percent of his shots, according to Lanetalk.
“Going from the first block to the second block, they hooked a little earlier so I had to migrate a little more left faster. I threw a couple of different balls and we obviously hit a more hooking pair the last game (Lanes 5-6) so I had to ball down,” Bonta said.
“I talked to a couple of guys who have bowled here before and watched the PTQ just to get a feel for the center and check out the characteristics. It’s a pretty old place obviously with a lot of history. The fronts of the lanes hook a whole lot here so being able to combat that has been really good. One thing is monitoring a slower ball speed with a little more axis rotation. That has worked a lot this week and hopefully I can keep it going.”
Wilkins, who admitted he was just trying to keep his feet on the ground after winning his first title last week with AJ Chapman during the Roth-Holman Doubles in Maine, sat second after both of the Day 1 qualifying blocks.
“I’m trying to process this, like, I’m in the TOC right now. This is unbelievable,” Wilkins told pba.com. “I texted my coach that I needed to calm my heart rate down.
“(PBA players) demeanor, their attitude, they are just as locked in as the week before when they won. I’m trying to use that mentality with my own twist on it to stay locked in and keep trusting my own process.”
Despite his early success, Bonta still is just a college kid enjoying his first year on the PBA Tour with the help of his roommates and friends.
“It’s been the best choice that I think I’ve made on tour this season,” Bonta said about rooming with his friends. “I know that it’s an individual sport, but I wanted to room with guys that make it feel like a team. After we get done bowling, it’s straight smiles and laughs. It keeps all of us loose, even if we’re bowling badly. It really lightens the mood, and it makes bowling out here a little less stressful.”
NOTEBOOK
OTHERS IN THE RUNNING: Four-time PBA TOC champion Jason Belmonte, returning after taking two weeks off, had two runs at 300 in the second block and finished with 1,446 to sit 11th overall. … Tackett, who is seeking to become only the second player to win the PBA Triple Crown (TOC, U.S. Open, World Championship) twice in his career, is 16th.
RACE TO THE CUT: The top 24 following the final six qualifying games, which begins at 11 a.m. Thursday, will advance to the first round of match play, beginning at 6 p.m. PTQ qualifier leader Michael Davidson of Versailles is the cut spot at 2,641, just three pins ahead of another first-time winner and rookie Austin Grammar, with Ethan Fiore just four pins back. PBA50 2025 Rookie of the Year Tom Daugherty is 27th with 2,621, and Anthony Simonsen is 29th with 2,615.
OHIO BOYS: In addition to Davidson,Parma’s Patrick Dombrowski, who made his first PBA Tour title a major this season at the U.S. Open, is 17th (2,687), while Blacklick’s Chris Via sits seventh (2,752). Jefferson’s Casey Cohagan, a PTQ qualifier, is 36th (2,589).
NOTEBOOK: There are 10 former champions in the field, with Chris Barnes (2006) and Mika Koivuniemi (2011) being the lone senior winners returning. … Matt O’Grady (2018) is the lone bowler to have won the TOC after advancing from the pre-tournament qualifier. … Jason Sterner shot the lone 300 of the day during Game 2 of the morning shift. … Kyle Sherman, color commentator on The WB PBA broadcasts, withdrew after the morning shift due to a back injury. … Defending champion Jesper Svensson withdrew following Game 8 of the evening shift due to illness, leaving the field with 70 players. … Tickets for Thursday’s action are $10 for each shift or $15 for an all-day pass and can be purchased at the door.
See complete scores here:
https://www.leaguepals.com/league-info?id=69320bcc8ba2fdb0125045fe