INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Anthony Simonsen became the youngest major champion on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour, winning the U.S. Bowling Congress Masters on Sunday at 19.
Simonsen, from Princeton, Texas, beat Canadian amateur Dan MacLelland of Canada 245-207 in the title match, rolling strikes on eight of his first nine shots.
Simonsen, at 19 years, 39 days, broke Hall of Famer Mike Aulby's mark of 19 years, 83 days set in the 1979 PBA National Championship.
''It's definitely a dream come true,'' Simonsen said. ''It's awesome to break a record. Mike Aulby was a great player. ... I made the decision at a young age to come on out, and it was about getting out here and getting experience, which really is starting to pay off.
''This is my first full year out on tour, and I bowled a majority of the major events that were possible. To have success is awesome, but a title doesn't define you. You have to keep coming out and trying to perform week in and week out, and see where it takes you.''
MacLelland beat Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, 216-213 in the semifinal match.
''It was great to be here and see everyone again, and I really love bowling in the Masters,'' MacLelland said. ''This is one event I always try to bowl in, and it was a fun week. It's a little disappointing, but I'm not upset. Things just didn't go my way. Anthony bowled great all week.''
Malott opened the stepladder final with a 258-189 victory over Tom Daugherty of Riverview, Florida, and beat Chris Loschetter of Avon, Ohio, 258-201 in the second match.
