Eight-time PBA Tour champion Jakob Butturff died unexpectedly on Friday, July 31, at the age of 32. The professional bowling community is in mourning.
Butturff, born in Arizona, had lived in Las Vegas and Binghamton, New York. His career was highlighted by a major championship victory at the 2019 USBC Masters.
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His breakout came in 2016, when he won his first two PBA Tour titles.
He also set a record with nine PBA Regional Tour titles that year, earning West Region and Northwest Region Player of the Year honors.
Over his career, Butturff accumulated 27 PBA Regional Tour titles.
He added Northwest Region Player of the Year awards in 2017 and 2018 and won the 2017 QubicaAMF World Cup as a seven-time Team USA member.
During the 2019 season, he finished runner-up in Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year voting after claiming three titles.
He placed second to Jason Belmonte in points and earnings and was runner-up in the PBA World Championship.
He also bowled the 28th televised 300 game in PBA history during the 2020 PBA Tour Finals.
PBA Commissioner Honors Butturff
PBA Commissioner Tom Clark released an official statement honoring Butturff's unique impact on the sport.
"Jakob was one of the most unique players in PBA history," Clark said.
"Fans marveled at his delivery, as he rode a wave of strikes into becoming a top player in the sport, capable of winning at any time, in any event.
