Matt O’Grady named February IBMA Bowler of the Month

31 March, 2018

IBMA

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Matt O’Grady of Fahway, New Jersey, has been selected as the February 2018 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association. O’Grady defeated top-seeded Jesper Svensson, Sweden, for the 53rd PBA Tournament of Champions, his first career PBA title.

The fifth-seeded O’Grady (featured photo) began his stunning climb up the television stepladder final. First, he ousted fourth-seeded B.J. Moore, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, 219-174. In a tight match, O’Grady slipped past third-seeded and reigning PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte, looking for a record-tying tenth major title, 229-225. The former Junior Team USA member outlasted second-seeded Andrew Anderson, 194-185, setting up the title match.

O’Grady finished 11th in a pre-tournament qualifier (PTQ) among those who had won PBA tournaments in its other divisions along with 26 others to get into the tournament proper. Using that momentum, O’Grady qualified for round-robin match second place.

Despite remaining in the top five, he nearly didn’t make the telecast after a 154 game in the position round match loss to Belmote.

Others obtaining votes in this month were Tom Smallwood, winner of the Barbasol PBA Players Championship and Jason Belmonte, winner with Bill O’Neill of the Mark Roth/Marshall Holman PBA Doubles Championship, presented by BowlerX.com, and runner up of the Barbasol PBA Players Championship.

Dom Barrett claims January IBMA Bowler of the Month

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