Rafiq hits form to snatch Cheetah Championship match play berth

PETALING JAYA: Rafiq Ismail finally found his mark at the US Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Cheetah Championship.

The 20- year- old finished Saturday’s 10-game qualifying rounds in sixth spot with 2,447 pinfalls to earn his first match play spot after three events in the five-tournament PBA World Series of Bowling (WSOB) in Reno, Nevada.

Rafiq could only manage 112nd at the Chameleon Championship on Wednesday and 48th at the Shark Championship on Thursday.

Thomas Larsen of Denmark posted a 2,556 total to top the 193-player field, followed by Jesper Svensson of Sweden (2,519) and Andrew Cain (2,511).

“What a relief. After two misses, I finally secured one (match play berth),” said Rafiq.

“This is a great confidence booster. Hopefully I’ll play well enough to make the match play cut in the remaining two events (yesterday’s Scorpion Championship and today’s PBA World Championship).”

Compatriot Alex Liew missed out on the top 16 match play cut by just 18 pins. He was placed 18th with a 2,346 total.

Syafiq Ridhwan Abdul Malek finished 30th after knocking down 2,300 pinfalls followed by Adrian Ang (47th, 2260), Timmy Tan (115th, 2132), Shalin Zulkifli (123rd, 2115) and Zulmazran Zulkifli (179th, 1933).

All the match play rounds of the five tournaments will be held from Wednesday to Saturday.

Back in business: Rafiq Ismail grabbed the match play spot at the Cheetah Championship after missing the cut in two PBA World Series of Bowling events previously. Inset: Alex Liew.