SITI RIGHT ON TRACK TO REACH SECOND ROUND IN WORLD CUP

Siti and Muaz edge closer to World Cup second round in Mexico

PETALING JAYA: Bowler Siti Safiyah Amirah Abdul Rahman is on the right track to reach the second round of the QubicaAMF World Cup in Mexico.

The 26-year-old has accumulated 3,851 pinfalls over 18 games to move by two spots to sixth in the women’s qualifying rounds at the Bol 300 in Hermosillo.

In Wednesday’s third block, Siti Safiyah added lines of 227-227-206-241-194-222 for her best six-game series of 1,317 this week.

The one-time PWBA Tour champion opened with a 1,264 total on Monday and followed it up with 1,270 in the second block.

Siti Safiyah, who is featuring in her fourth World Cup, is 410 pins ahead of the top-24 cutoff mark, with six more qualifying games remaining.

Defending champion Jenny Wegner of Sweden still leads with a 4,096 total, followed by Australia’s Rebecca Whiting (3,970) and Germany’s Vanessa Timter (3,942).

Siti Safiyah, however, does not plan to rest on her laurels just yet.

“It’s been good so far and I’m happy with the progress made,” said Siti Safiyah, who also fondly known as Sofy.

“There’s no room for complacency as this is a high-scoring tournament. I need to keep hitting high games to keep pace with the leaders.

“It’s not about just making the cut. The total pinfalls will be carried forward to the latter stages, so I can’t afford to slacken.”

Ahmad Muaz Fishol should also make the cut in the men’s competition despite dropping from eighth to 11th place after registering a third block of 1,280 pinfalls for a 3,847 overall total.

England’s Ray Teece seized pole position for the first time after 18 games with a 4,020 total, followed by Colombia’s Oscar Rodriguez (3,951) and American Jakob Butturff (3,950).

The top 24 qualifiers will bowl another eight games in the second round – with their total pinfalls carried forward – to determine the eight players for the round-robin matchplay.

Only the top four will qualify for the title playoff.