Duke, Barnes advance at 2007 Tournament of Champions

Apr 1, 2007 - 6:32 AM UNCASVILLE, Connecticut (Ticker) -- Heading into the final event of the 2006-07 Denny's PBA Tour season, the race for Player of the Year honors still was up in the air. After Saturday's round of eight at Mohegan Sun Arena, two frontrunners took a big step forward.

Norm Duke, who has a Tour-leading three titles this season, put his foot down first, knocking off Robert Smith, four games to two. Looking to defend his 2006 Tournament of Champions crown, Chris Barnes responded in the second set of matches with a 4-1 win over Mike Wolfe.

Early on, it appeared as if Duke would falter in his quest for a fourth finals appearance this season, falling into a quick 2-0 hole as Smith rolled a 227 in the first two games. Duke posted 202 and 212, respectively.

Seeing his chances for a third career major title and a second PBA Tournament of Champions crown slipping away, the 25-year veteran awoke and responded with a vengeance, taking the next four games to end the match.

"This one means a lot to me because of the Player of the Year race," Duke said. "I'm sure Chris Barnes feels the same elation because he is in the race as well. We are the last two remaining bowlers in this tournament who are in major contention in the Player of the Year race, so it means that much more."

Duke hopes to put himself one step closer to the award when he takes on Tony Reyes in the semifinals on Sunday.

Reyes advanced by dispatching all-time Tour title leader Walter Ray Williams Jr., 4-1. Reyes came out slow in the first game as Williams posted a 289-179 win. But Reyes took over from there, winning the next four games, including a 268-257 decision in the fifth.

Wolfe forced his match with Barnes to five games after dropping the first three. He posted his highest score of the match in a 279-235 win in the fourth, stringing together nine strikes. But Barnes quickly extinguished his hopes with a 268-201 win in the next game.

Things will not get any easier for Barnes, who next will face 2005-06 Player of the Year Tommy Jones.

Jones had a rough outing against Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III. After edging Bohn, 221-218, in the first game, Jones posted a 226-204 triumph in the second.

But Bohn, who has won 30 career titles, flexed his muscles in the third game with a 254-225 victory.

With his second career major title in sight, Jones closed the door with back-to-back 258s to close out the match.

Sunday's finals will be televised live on ESPN at 1 p.m. EDT. The winner will take home $60,000 and a two-season exemption through the 2008-09 season.