Matt Russo Claims Second Career Title at PBA Scorpion Championship

Top-seeded Russo dominates all-two-handed stepladder finals

Tuesday night at Strobl Arena inside Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Michigan, saw an intense showdown in the PBA Scorpion Championship, part of the World Series of Bowling XV. In an all-two-handed stepladder final, top-seeded Matt Russo defeated Packy Hanrahan 228-192 to secure his second career PBA Tour title.

“I’ve dreamed of this since I was a kid,” Russo said. “Winning off TV is one thing, but doing it in front of a crowd like that was phenomenal.”

A Unique Stepladder Finals

The stepladder finals featured five two-handed bowlers: Russo, Hanrahan, Keven Williams, Jason Belmonte, and Jesper Svensson. Additionally, four of them were left-handers, making for an unusual and challenging competition.

Svensson took down Belmonte in the opening match, ensuring that only left-handed players remained in contention. The added transition on the 42-foot Scorpion pattern created unpredictable ball reactions, forcing players to adapt on the fly.

“I wasn’t completely comfortable with my ball selection,” Russo admitted. “I just focused on throwing good shots, especially on the right lane, which I knew could be tricky. I got the hits, made my spares, and now I’m the Scorpion champion.”

Russo’s Winning Strategy

Lane conditions changed significantly from qualifying rounds, but Russo trusted his instincts and adjustments.

“They broke down differently than I expected,” he said. “I actually thought they would hook more. But by trusting my reps, my own eyes, and making the right decisions, I capitalized on a great opportunity.”

Russo made a key adjustment earlier this season, removing his thumb from the ball. After missing the cut at the Players Championship, he made the switch for the U.S. Open, finishing 17th, and hasn’t looked back since.

“The best thing that happened was missing that cut,” Russo said. “If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have made the change, and I wouldn’t be standing here as a champion.”

The Road to the Title

The stepladder finals were packed with drama:

• Match 1: Jesper Svensson def. Jason Belmonte (223-213)
• Match 2: Keven Williams def. Jesper Svensson (235-184)
• Match 3: Packy Hanrahan def. Keven Williams (247-225)
• Championship: Matt Russo def. Packy Hanrahan (228-192)

Hanrahan had momentum heading into the title match, with both players having a potential 279-max score through six frames. However, a costly pocket 7-10 split in the sixth frame and a missed 7-pin in the seventh sealed his fate, allowing Russo to cruise to victory.

What’s Next for Russo?

Russo will be back in action on Wednesday night for the PBA Shark Championship, where he will start as the No. 5 seed and attempt to climb the stepladder once again.

Meanwhile, Japan’s Shota Kawazoe is aiming to become the first Japanese bowler to win a PBA Tour singles title. He awaits the winner of EJ Tackett, Anthony Simonsen, Kris Prather, and Russo.

Additionally, Russo currently leads the PBA World Championship, holding a 209-pin lead heading into Thursday’s round-robin match play. The top nine players will advance to the stepladder finals this weekend, airing on Saturday and Sunday.

Final Standings & Prizes

1. Matt Russo – $20,000
2. Packy Hanrahan – $13,000
3. Keven Williams – $11,000
4. Jesper Svensson – $9,000
5. Jason Belmonte – $7,000

With his second PBA Tour title now secured, Russo is riding a wave of confidence into his next challenge. Can he continue his dominance at the PBA Shark Championship and World Championship? Bowling fans won’t want to miss the action!