Outstanding show: Zulmazran Zulkifli (second from right) posing with his trophy.
PETALING JAYA: Bowler Zulmazran Zulkifli's perseverance has paid off big time.
On Monday, the 39-year-old turned on the heat to lift the Granville Financial Sandhills Open and became Malaysia's first bowler to win a Professional Bowling Association (PBA) title.
The three-time Malaysian Open champion Zulmazran, who turned pro in 2019 after leaving the national squad, defeated Jack Ness of Boiling Springs 215-183 in the championships match at Sandhills Bowling Center in Aberdeen, New York.
He had made many attempts on the PBA Tour and came close a few times but never gave up.
Said Zulmazran: "It has not sunk in yet, I've finally won a PBA title and I'm the first Malaysian to ever do it."
"I'm just so thankful to the support from my wife, mother, family and business partner. I'm going for more now," added Zulmazran, who has now earned the right to compete in the prestigious event - the Tournament of Champions.
Prior to Zulmazran, Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman was the first woman bowler to win the Professional Women Bowling Association (PWBA) title when she triumphed in the Wichita Open in 2017.
