Tommy Jones wins PBA Tournament of Champions

Apr 1, 2007 - 7:57 PM UNCASVILLE, Connecticut (Ticker) - Tommy Jones became the quickest bowler to 10 titles in PBA Tour history Sunday, winning his second major championship with a 257-222 victory over Tony Reyes in the final of the Tournament of Champions.

Jones won 10 titles in two years, six months, seven days, breaking the record by four days. Dick Weber held the record for 45 years until Jones salvaged what was considered a down year for the 28-year-old.

Jones won his first career title in the 2004 Japan Cup and won four titles in both the 2004-05 and 2005-06 campaigns, including his first major in last season's U.S. Open. Coming into this week, he had won just one title this season but dominated both foes Sunday.

"It feels great. I haven't been bowling very well this season, but I worked with Del Ballard recently and I have to thank him for getting me back here," said Jones, the 2006 PBA Player of the Year. "Next year I'm going to be back and ready to go again. I'm ready to win another Player of the Year."

Jones, who earned $60,000, needs a World Championship title to become the fifth bowler in history to win the Triple Crown.

The title match was never in doubt as Jones started with six strikes while Reyes - making his Tournament of Champions debut - struggled with just one strike in the first four frames, including an open fourth.

Jones advanced to the title match with a 279-238 win over Chris Barnes, beginning with seven strikes. After leaving a 10-pin in the eighth frame, he recovered with four consecutive strikes.

Reyes advanced to the title match with a 215-206 win over Norm Duke.