Deo Benard Claims First Career Title at PBA Cheetah Championship

20-Year-Old Benard Becomes Third First-Time Winner of the Season

Monday night at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park marked a milestone for young bowler Deo Benard, as he secured his first-ever PBA Tour title at the PBA Cheetah Championship. The 20-year-old triumphed over Marshall Kent, 222-204, in the final match, earning the championship trophy and a $20,000 prize.

A Dream Come True for Benard

“This is the best day of my life,” Benard expressed as he held the gleaming gold trophy, marking the culmination of years of dedication to the sport.

Bowling runs deep in Benard’s family. His father, Rick Benard, is a four-time PBA Regional Tour champion, and Deo has followed closely in his footsteps. In 2020, at just 16 years old, he became the youngest PBA member to win a regional title. His rapid rise continued last year when he was named PBA Southwest Region Player of the Year, after securing three regional titles and four overall.

Benard’s growing success earned him a spot in the PBA Legacy Cup: Legends and Rising Stars, where he made his television debut just a month ago.

“That show was the coolest thing in my life. I thought nothing could top this,” Benard said. “If you told me a month later I would make a show and win, I would never believe you.”

The Road to Victory

Benard’s journey to the championship wasn’t easy. He had to navigate through a challenging stepladder finals filled with formidable opponents.

• Match 1: No. 4 Alec Keplinger defeated No. 5 BJ Moore, 235-227
• Match 2: No. 3 Deo Benard took down Keplinger, 257-226
• Semifinal: Benard outplayed No. 2 Mikey Schlabach, 234-165
• Championship Match: Benard clinched victory over No. 1 Marshall Kent, 222-204

Despite a near-flawless performance throughout the night, Benard faced a tense moment in the championship match. His only misstep came in the seventh frame, when he left the Big Four split. That gave Kent a chance to seize control, but Kent struggled on the right lane and failed to capitalize.

Needing just a mark in the 10th frame, Benard delivered a strike and followed up with two more, sealing his place in history as the season’s first left-handed champion.

This victory makes Benard the 20th player to secure their first PBA Tour title at the World Series of Bowling (WSOB)since its inception in 2009.

Upcoming WSOB XV Events

The PBA World Series of Bowling XV continues with more championship rounds airing at 7 PM ET on FS1:

• Tuesday’s Scorpion Championship Finals: The first-ever all-two-handed stepladder finals will see Jason Belmonte attempt to defeat a lineup of left-handed opponents, including Jesper Svensson, Keven Williams, Packy Hanrahan, and top seed Matt Russo.
• Wednesday Night: Shota Kawazoe, the top seed, aims to become the first Japanese player to win a PBA Tour singles title. He will face EJ Tackett, Anthony Simonsen, Kris Prather, and Matt Russo.
• Thursday: The PBA World Championship will feature the top 16 players competing in a 16-game round-robin match play, with the top nine bowlers advancing to the televised semifinals and finals, airing next weekend on FS1 and FOX.

Final Standings and Prize Money

Benard’s remarkable victory at the PBA Cheetah Championship signals the arrival of a new rising star in professional bowling. Fans can continue to follow the WSOB XV action as more thrilling matchups unfold throughout the week.