Santtu Tahvanainen Secures First Career Title at PBA Owen’s Illinois Classic

Former Rookie of the Year Becomes Third Finnish Champion in PBA History

The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) crowned a new champion on Saturday night at Bowlero Vernon Hills in Illinois, as Santtu Tahvanainen claimed his first career PBA Tour title at the PBA Owen’s Illinois Classic.

Tahvanainen, the 2022 PBA Rookie of the Year, defeated Chris Via 186-155 in the championship match, securing the $30,000 top prize and etching his name into history as only the third Finnish bowler to win a PBA Tour title, following in the footsteps of legends Mika Koivuniemi and Osku Palermaa.

“I feel like every bowler who starts bowling and comes over here, they dream of this moment,” Tahvanainen said after his victory. “I came here to win, but actually experiencing this moment is pretty special.”

A Hard-Fought Championship Match

The 42-foot Salvino oil pattern, named in honor of Hall of Famer Carmen Salvino, proved challenging for all competitors during the championship round. Both Tahvanainen and Via struggled to find a consistent rhythm, but Tahvanainen’s two key doubles gave him the edge in the final match.

Via, who had played farther right than any other competitor using reactive equipment, faced difficulties adjusting to the lane conditions. He later attempted to move left, following Tahvanainen’s strategy, but it was not enough to secure the victory.

“I made a couple of blind guesses, hoping to find something really good,” Via admitted. “It felt better than 150, but it is what it is. Santtu bowled a great game, and you’ve got to tip your hat to him.”

Despite the loss, Via remains a strong contender on tour, moving up to third place on the season’s points list after also finishing third in last week’s U.S. Open presented by Go Bowling.

“Obviously, the loss sucks,” Via said. “But at the same time, it makes you want it even more. I feel like I’m bowling really well right now, and things are trending upward.”

The Road to the Title

The journey to the championship match was filled with intense battles. Tim Foy Jr. had an impressive run, defeating both Matt Ogle (217-168) and Sean Rash (242-190) before falling to Via (212-202) in the semifinals.

Championship Round Results:

• Match 1: Tim Foy Jr. def. Matt Ogle, 217-168
• Match 2: Tim Foy Jr. def. Sean Rash, 242-190
• Match 3: Chris Via def. Tim Foy Jr., 212-202
• Championship Match: Santtu Tahvanainen def. Chris Via, 186-155

A Rising Star in the PBA Tour

Tahvanainen’s victory is a testament to his potential. Since joining the PBA Tour, he has reached the championship round in 6 of his 24 events (25% success rate). His tour representative, Brett Spangler, sees a bright future ahead for the young Finnish star.

“Santtu is one of those rare and unique talents,” Spangler said. “He has a different outlook on the game, and his lighthearted, fun approach helps him process challenges on the lanes.”

With his first PBA title secured, Tahvanainen is already looking ahead. Next week, the tour moves to a longer oil pattern, and he is feeling confident about his chances to go back-to-back.

“When the pattern length starts with a four, I feel like I have what it takes,” Tahvanainen said. “Winning my first title proves it. Now, let’s see how high we can climb.”

Final Standings & Prizes

1. Santtu Tahvanainen – $30,000
2. Chris Via – $18,000
3. Sean Rash – $13,000
4. Tim Foy Jr. – $10,000
5. Matt Ogle – $9,000

As the PBA Tour continues, all eyes will be on Santtu Tahvanainen to see if he can ride this momentum and establish himself as a dominant force in professional bowling.