Looking back at 2019's PBA championship matches, I still get that familiar adrenaline rush thinking about some of the incredible fights we witnessed that year. As someone who's followed professional bowling for over a decade, I can confidently say that 2019 delivered some of the most memorable championship moments in recent memory. The energy in those final matches was absolutely electric, and I want to walk you through which fights truly stood out and why they're still worth watching today.
Let me start with what I consider the absolute highlight of the season - the PBA World Championship final between Jason Belmonte and Jakob Butturff. This wasn't just any championship match; this was a clash of bowling titans that had everyone on the edge of their seats. Belmonte, with his unique two-handed style that I've always admired, was facing Butturff, whose powerful delivery and consistency throughout the tournament had been nothing short of spectacular. The tension was palpable from the very first frame, with both players trading strikes like heavyweight boxers exchanging blows. What made this match particularly special was how it showcased two completely different approaches to the game - Belmonte's finesse versus Butturff's raw power. I remember watching Game 1 thinking, "This is going to be a long night," and boy was I right. The back-and-forth battle lasted through multiple games, with momentum swinging like a pendulum between these two incredible athletes.
Speaking of Game 1, let me give you a quick rundown about what made that opening match so crucial in setting the tone for the entire championship. The key to victory in that first game came down to who could handle the pressure of the fresh oil pattern better. From my experience watching countless PBA tournaments, I've noticed that the first game often reveals which player has done their homework on lane conditions. Belmonte started strong with three consecutive strikes, while Butturff struggled slightly with his ball reaction in the early frames. What impressed me most was how Butturff adjusted his angle and speed mid-game, something that takes incredible skill and mental fortitude. The expectation was that Belmonte would run away with it, but Butturff's ability to recalibrate showed why he's considered one of the best in the sport. The final frames of that first game were absolutely nerve-wracking, with both players needing strikes to maintain their positions.
Another championship that really caught my attention was the USBC Masters showdown between Anthony Simonsen and Mykel Holliman. At just 22 years old, Simonsen was already making waves in the PBA, and watching him navigate the pressure of a major championship was genuinely inspiring. What stood out to me most about this match was the sheer display of mental toughness from both competitors. Holliman, though ultimately falling short, demonstrated why he's considered one of the most promising talents in professional bowling. The match went down to the final frame, with Simonsen needing a double in the tenth to secure the victory. The way he calmly stepped up and delivered two perfect shots under that kind of pressure - it's something I still think about when discussing clutch performances in bowling history.
The PBA Players Championship featured another incredible battle that I believe deserves more recognition - the final between Kris Prather and Bill O'Neill. This match had everything you could want in a championship fight: dramatic momentum shifts, unexpected twists, and phenomenal shot-making when it mattered most. Prather's performance throughout this tournament was particularly impressive because he consistently found ways to overcome challenging lane transitions, something that separates good bowlers from great ones. I've always been fascinated by how different players handle transition periods, and Prather's ability to make subtle ball changes and positional adjustments was masterclass material. O'Neill fought valiantly, but Prather's consistency in the later games proved too much to overcome.
What made these 2019 PBA fights so memorable wasn't just the high level of competition, but the stories unfolding within each match. Take the PBA Tournament of Champions, for instance, where we saw veteran bowler Andrew Anderson claim his first major title. There's something special about watching a player break through for that career-defining victory, and Anderson's emotional reaction after securing the win reminded me why I fell in love with this sport in the first place. His journey through that tournament was a textbook example of perseverance, having battled through the tough qualifying rounds before peaking at exactly the right moment during the televised finals.
Reflecting on all these championship matches from 2019, I keep coming back to what separated the winners from the runners-up. From my perspective, it wasn't just about technical skill or physical ability - though those were certainly important factors. The champions that year shared an incredible capacity for mental resilience and adaptability. They could read lane conditions faster than their opponents, make crucial adjustments mid-match, and maintain composure during high-pressure situations. These are the qualities that transform good bowlers into PBA champions, and we saw them displayed repeatedly throughout 2019's most outstanding fights.
The beauty of these top PBA fights from 2019 lies in their rewatch value. Even now, years later, I find myself going back to watch these matches and discovering new nuances I missed during the initial broadcast. Whether it's Belmonte's creative spare pickups, Simonsen's fearless approach to difficult splits, or Prather's impeccable timing under pressure, each champion brought something unique to their victory. These weren't just wins - they were masterclasses in professional bowling that continue to influence how the game is played today. If you're looking to understand what makes championship-level bowling so compelling, the top PBA fights of 2019 provide the perfect case study in excellence, drama, and sheer competitive spirit.