Top American pro Anderson out to make it a sizzling Malaysian Open
PETALING JAYA: Top professional bowler Andrew Anderson from the United States is set to make it a sizzling show in the Malaysian Open at the Sunway Mega Lanes from April 26-Nov 4.
The reigning Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour’s No. 1 and fellow American Sean Rash are the latest big names to feature in the country’s premier bowling tournament, which is making a comeback after a lapse of two years.
The RM407,500 tournament has earlier confirmed the participation of two other top PBA Tour bowlers — American Kyle Troup and England’s Dominic Barrett.
Malaysian fans are certainly in for a treat as the quartet boast a combined 25 PBA Tour titles.
Anderson’s participation will add an interesting storyline to the tournament as there is a possibility for a World Championships final rematch with either Adrian Ang or Tun Ameerul Hakim Tun Hasnul Azam (pic) should they make the stepladder finals.
If that happens, Anderson will be out to seek his revenge after he and partner EJ Tackett were pipped to the men’s doubles gold by Adrian-Ameerul in Hong Kong last December.
Malaysia will be banking on their top star Rafiq Ismail to make a mark but Tenpin Bowling Congress (MTBC) secretary-general Maradona Chok said it will be tough for him to defend the men’s Open crown.
“The field is competitive with the inclusion of Anderson and Rash,” said Maradona.
“Anderson won the PBA player of the year award just into his second year as a professional and that speaks volume of his calibre. As for Rash, he has earned more than US$1.3mil (RM5.3mil) which makes him a calibre bowler.
“Besides PBA stars, we will have our regional rivals from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines taking part as well.
Indonesia and Singapore men teams have certainly grown stronger over the years and they proved it by winning the trios silver and team bronze in last year’s world meet.
“Rafiq and Co will have to be ready for an explosive battle in the 40th edition of the home Open.”
The last tournament was held in 2016 and local stars – Rafiq and Sin Li Jane emerged as the men and women’s winners.
The tournament was scrapped in 2017 due to refurbishment and upgrading works at the Sunway Mega Lanes in preparation for the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games in 2017. Last year MTBC dropped the meet as it clashed with the 14th General Election.