Gary Haines Captures First PBA Tour Title with Thrilling USBC Masters Victory

The Week of a Lifetime for the Long Island Bowler

In one of the most memorable underdog stories in recent PBA Tour history, 36-year-old Gary Haines of Long Island, New York, achieved a lifelong dream by winning the 2025 USBC Masters. Haines, who had never won a PBA Tour title before, delivered a remarkable performance throughout the week at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Michigan, culminating in a dramatic victory over three-time Masters champion Anthony Simonsen in the championship match.

The Masters is widely considered one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world of professional bowling, and for Haines, it became the site of an unforgettable career milestone.

The Road to Victory: Perseverance and Clutch Performance

Haines entered the tournament as an unseeded player with no PBA Tour titles to his name, but he quickly turned heads with his consistency and focus during the double-elimination match play. He went undefeated throughout match play, securing the No. 1 seed heading into the championship round — an impressive feat in a field loaded with the sport’s top talent.

To win the title, Haines only needed to win one game in the final match, while his opponent, Simonsen, had to defeat him twice. In the opening game of the championship, Simonsen displayed his experience and skill, defeating Haines 207-172 and forcing a winner-take-all second game.

However, Haines refused to let the moment slip away. Despite struggling with nerves and inconsistent shot-making early in the match, he stayed composed when it mattered most. In the decisive second game, Simonsen initially maintained control, but a costly 4-9 split in the fifth frame opened the door for Haines. The Long Island native seized the opportunity, throwing two of the best shots of his career in the final frames to clinch a narrow 192-186 victory and secure the Masters title.

“This was my week,” Haines said in an emotional post-match interview. “I’ve finished second so many times. I have five runner-up finishes in PBA Regionals. I’m always close, but this week it felt like everything aligned. Finally, somebody up there said, ‘This guy deserves to win.’”

A Working-Class Champion: Bowling Meets Real Life

What makes Haines’ victory even more compelling is his life outside of bowling. Unlike many of his competitors, Haines is not a full-time professional bowler. He works as a control room operator at a steam power plant for National Grid, managing critical infrastructure far from the bright lights of televised bowling tournaments.

Haines’ blue-collar background resonated with fans and added to the David-versus-Goliath narrative. In fact, after earning the top seed, Haines jokingly compared himself to the iconic cartoon character Homer Simpson, highlighting the contrast between his day job and his newfound success on the lanes.

Despite his major championship win, Haines made it clear that he has no intention of leaving his career to join the PBA Tour full-time.

“I don’t think you’re going to see me out here any more than you already did,” Haines said. “I have a very good job at home. It wouldn’t make sense to quit and think I’m suddenly going to become the best bowler in the world. I proved to myself that I can compete at this level, but I know I still have a lot to learn.”

With this victory, Haines earns an exemption from most pre-tournament qualifiers (PTQs), which will make it easier for him to compete in select future events without going through grueling qualifying rounds. Still, he emphasized that bowling will remain a passion rather than a profession.

Simonsen and O’Neill: Strong Runs Cut Short

While Haines’ Cinderella story captured the headlines, the tournament was also marked by impressive performances from PBA veterans Anthony Simonsen and Bill O’Neill.

Simonsen, seeking his fourth career Masters title, showed his usual poise and skill throughout the week. He earned the No. 2 seed and advanced to the championship match by defeating O’Neill 189-176 in the semifinals. Despite his experience and early control in the final, Simonsen was unable to close out Haines in the deciding game.

“When it’s not your day, it’s not your day,” Simonsen said after the match. “Clearly, it was Gary’s week. He made a very impressive split to end qualifying and went on an unbelievable run. That’s bowling — sometimes the breaks go your way, sometimes they don’t.”

O’Neill, the No. 3 seed, battled through a tight opening match against hometown favorite Justin Knowles, edging him out 202-195. O’Neill appeared to be in control during the semifinal against Simonsen but faltered late in the match, opening the door for Simonsen to advance.

Knowles, a Detroit native, struggled with lane conditions and consistency during his match against O’Neill, leaving multiple open frames and failing to capitalize on key opportunities.

Championship Round Results

The final results of the championship round were as follows:

Match One: No. 3 Bill O’Neill defeated No. 4 Justin Knowles, 202-195
Match Two: No. 2 Anthony Simonsen defeated No. 3 Bill O’Neill, 189-176
Championship Match:

• Game 1: Anthony Simonsen defeated Gary Haines, 207-172

• Game 2: Gary Haines defeated Anthony Simonsen, 192-186

Final Standings and Payouts

The top four finishers and their prize money were:

1. Gary Haines – $100,000

2. Anthony Simonsen – $50,000

3. Bill O’Neill – $25,000

4. Justin Knowles – $15,000

Full tournament standings and additional information about the 2025 USBC Masters can be found on the official PBA website.

What’s Next for the PBA Tour

The PBA Tour will continue next month with the PBA All-Star Weekend, scheduled for April 4-6. All eyes will be on whether Haines will make another appearance, though fans should not expect him to pursue a full-time bowling career.

For now, Gary Haines’ remarkable Masters victory serves as a reminder that sometimes, passion, perseverance, and a little bit of luck can lead to the ultimate breakthrough — even for those who balance their dreams with a full-time job.