PBA ILLINOIS CLASSIC

S. Samek

With the hype of the US Open and Player championship, both majors fading away, it’s time to have the first standard event of the PBA Tour season, The Illinois Classic.

The tournament features a bit of a departure in format. After 18 games of qualifying 24 players will advance to the elimination match play rounds. Each match play round is best of seven with the loser eliminated. It’s a return to a format that hasn’t been seen sense the 2022 World Series of Bowling.

Will Kyle Troup be able to win another title after winning the US Open? Perhaps Bill O’Neil takes his second trophy home in 2024. Jason Belmonte and EJ Tackett should be strong picks to get into the winner’s circle for the first time this year. They finished third and fourth respectively at the US Open.

Tom Smallwood, Graham Fach, Justin Knowles, Zach Wilkins and David Krol have all made match play during both events this season. Perhaps one of them could sneak through the tournament and make a stepladder final.

The finals will be held on Saturday February 11,2024. In the meantime, check out the stream on bowltv and Hammer Down Sports Blog for updates.