Tun Hakim Wins PBA Chameleon Championship, Becomes First Malaysian PBA Tour Champion

Historic Victory for Malaysia at the PBA World Series of Bowling

The PBA World Series of Bowling XVI (WSOB XVI) showcased its global reach once again as Tun Hakim became the first Malaysian bowler to win a PBA Tour title. Hakim claimed victory at the PBA Chameleon Championship on Tuesday night, defeating Kevin McCune 269-227 to secure his first career title and a $20,000 prize.

This victory is a landmark moment for Malaysian bowling, highlighting the nation’s growing presence in professional bowling. Hakim’s win marks the third consecutive night an international player has won a PBA Tour event.

Malaysia’s Strong Presence in the PBA Tour

Hakim’s triumph follows an impressive run for the Malaysian national bowling team. Earlier this year, the team won the IBF World Cup gold medal in the team event, and since then, three of the four members have reached the championship rounds in PBA Tour events:

• Timmy Tan finished fourth in the PBA Pete Weber Missouri Classic.
• Rafiq Ismail was the runner-up in the PBA Scorpion Championship two nights ago.
• Tun Hakim sealed the PBA Chameleon Championship title.
• Ahmad Muaz, the fourth team member, is set to compete in the PBA Shark Championship on Wednesday.

Muaz, the top qualifier, will advance to the stepladder finals if he wins his Round of 16 match. Even if he loses, his seeding ensures a spot in the final as the No. 5 seed.

How Hakim Secured the Title

Hakim entered the championship round as the No. 4 qualifier after an outstanding performance in the 12-game qualifying round. He defeated Boog Krol and Jesper Svensson, both finalists in last season’s PBA Playoffs, in match play to secure his championship match appearance.

In the final match, Hakim strategically used a urethane ball on the 41-foot Chameleon pattern, a decision that proved highly effective. He dominated the match against McCune, finishing with a 269-227 victory.

Stepladder Finals Recap

Before facing Hakim in the final, Kevin McCune had a strong performance, defeating Andrew Anderson 265-215 in the semifinals. Anderson, who had beaten EJ Tackett in a thrilling second-round match, struggled with a 7-10 split and three 10-pin spares, giving McCune the edge.

In earlier rounds:

• Andrew Anderson won against Mitch Hupé 258-233.
• Anderson then edged out EJ Tackett 237-228.
• McCune defeated Anderson 265-215 to reach the final against Hakim.

Final Standings and Prize Money

1. Tun Hakim – $20,000
2. Kevin McCune – $13,500
3. Andrew Anderson – $10,000
4. EJ Tackett – $7,500
5. Mitch Hupé – $6,000

What’s Next in the WSOB XVI?

The PBA Shark Championship takes place on Wednesday, where Ahmad Muaz will aim to continue Malaysia’s strong run.

• Round of 16 begins at 9 a.m. PT (12 p.m. ET).
• Round of 8 follows at 11:30 a.m. PT (2:30 p.m. ET).
• The stepladder finals will air live on FS1 and the FOX Sports app at 4 p.m. PT (7 p.m. ET).

Later this week, the PBA World Championship continues:

• Thursday, March 20: Round-robin match play.
• Saturday, March 22: Championship finals at 12 p.m. PT (3 p.m. ET) on FOX.

Tun Hakim’s historic win sets the stage for more exciting moments in the PBA World Series of Bowling XVI. Malaysia’s bowlers have proven they belong among the world’s best, and fans will be eagerly watching to see if their momentum continues.