Rasmus Edvall Wins PBA Scorpion Championship for First Career Title

Swedish Bowler Makes History at PBA World Series of Bowling XVI

Sweden’s Rasmus Edvall claimed his first career PBA Tour title on Sunday night, securing victory in the PBA Scorpion Championship, the opening event of the PBA World Series of Bowling XVI.

Edvall fought his way through the stepladder finals, defeating Ryan Barnes, Germany’s Tobias Börding, EJ Tackett, and Malaysia’s Rafiq Ismail. His triumph earned him not only the coveted championship title but also a $20,000 top prize.

A Surreal Victory for Edvall

In the championship match held at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, Edvall dominated Rafiq Ismail with a 224-171 victory. Overwhelmed by his achievement, Edvall expressed disbelief at joining the elite ranks of PBA champions.

“It’s an exclusive club to be in. Not many Swedes have done it, and I can’t really put words into it. It’s surreal.”

Despite his success, Edvall admitted that he had doubts at the start of the day.

“When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t see myself winning, that’s for sure. I wanted to win the first match. After that, I didn’t know. I didn’t have the best day at the beginning. I just had some luck, and I kept rolling with it.”

The turning point came when he defeated two-time reigning PBA Player of the Year EJ Tackett in the semifinals.

“Before that, not even a chance. I couldn’t even think about it. I feel like EJ is such a good bowler. When he had that last frame, I couldn’t believe it. This is not happening. It felt so unreal.”

Overcoming Injuries to Make History

Edvall’s triumph is even more remarkable considering that he has been battling injuries to both knees since January 2024. He was unsure if he could compete at his desired level in the World Series of Bowling (WSOB).

“I was a little bit insecure about how I was able to perform. I’m still not 100% — that’s the thing. I can’t keep bowling like this, so I need to rehabilitate and come back even stronger. This is what I love. I want to keep doing this.”

A Hard-Fought Path to the Title

Edvall entered the championship round as the highest-seeded qualifier who lost in the Round of 8. From there, he delivered an impressive series of victories:

• Match 1: Defeated Ryan Barnes 196-133
• Match 2: Defeated Tobias Börding 204-189
• Semifinal: Defeated EJ Tackett 217-205
• Championship: Defeated Rafiq Ismail 224-171

Upcoming Events in the PBA World Series of Bowling XVI

The PBA World Series of Bowling XVI continues this week with the PBA Viper Championship on Monday at the National Bowling Stadium. The tournament schedule includes:

• Monday, March 17 – PBA Viper Championship Finals (4 p.m. PT on FS1)
• Tuesday, March 18 – PBA Chameleon Championship Finals (4 p.m. PT on FS1)
• Wednesday, March 19 – PBA Shark Championship Finals (4 p.m. PT on FS1)
• Saturday, March 22 – PBA World Championship Finals (12 p.m. PT on FOX)

Edvall’s victory marks a historic milestone for Swedish bowling, making him only the third Swede to win a PBA Tour title. His incredible performance, despite injuries and self-doubt, has set the stage for a promising future on the PBA Tour.

For full tournament results and the latest updates, visit the PBA official website.