Timmy will keep rolling with the lessons learned

PETALING JAYA: There is much more resonating in national kegler Timmy Tan’s (pic) head than just the loud sounds of pins falling after an exciting run at the PBA Indiana Classic.

His fourth-place finish on Sunday is a reminder that he has to keep growing and learning before he can match the best in the game.

Timmy’s hopes of clinching his first Professional Bowling Association (PBA) Tour title were dashed when he fell 172-202 to American EJ Tackett in the second match of the stepladder finals at Pro Bowl West.

“You learn from these experiences and grow from them. Reaching this stage itself is good for me, but I will look to do better in upcoming competitions,” he said.

“The experience is valuable, although losing never feels good. But we move on and we learn. Overall, I’m happy with my performance throughout the week in Illinois and will use this momentum to fuel future tournaments. “As for my match against EJ, the lanes were tough. I had one lane under control, but on the other, I just couldn’t find the strikes even after making the right adjustments.

“During the match, EJ made a few mistakes as well. On the same lane where I struggled, he had two big splits, which gave me a window to win.

‘‘However, despite making the right moves, I still couldn’t get the strikes I needed on that lane. “But in the end, it was just one game, and anything can happen.”

Meanwhile, American Marshall Kent returned to winning ways by capturing the title, defeating compatriot Boog Krol 152-136 in the final.

His winning score and the combined total of 288, set a new record for the lowest title match scores in PBA Tour history, eclipsing the previous marks of 157 and 296 set by Dennis Jacques in 1983.

The 33-year-old Kent’s triumph also marked his eighth career PBA Tour title and signalled a strong comeback after a difficult season and a half - arguably the toughest stretch of his professional career.

He managed just 69 pins through six frames before staging a late surge with strikes in the seventh, eighth and ninth frames to pull away from Krol, who also struggled to find rhythm.

“I’ve had to dig myself out of a lot of holes, so I have some experience doing it,” said Kent.