Marshall Kent already had one unforgettable win over Anthony Simonsen on one of bowling’s biggest stages.
In 2024, Kent defeated Simonsen to win the PBA Tournament of Champions, claiming the first major title of his career.
On Sunday, Simonsen had another chance to solve him. Instead, Kent once again found a way.
Kent defeated Simonsen in the Race-to-Two championship match at the PBA Norm Duke Open, winning the title after a roll-off and claiming his second PBA Tour title of the 2026 season.
The final did not start in Kent’s favor. Simonsen opened the first game with four straight strikes and controlled the match from there, taking the first point with a 244-203 win.
But Kent did not let the match get away from him in Game 2.
He converted the 4-9 split in the second frame, then covered the 4-10 split two frames later. Those shots kept him alive long enough to find his strike look, and when the chance came, Kent made his move.
Four straight strikes gave him a 16-pin lead heading into the ninth frame. Kent needed only 15 pins in the 10th to shut out Simonsen, but the finish became more complicated than expected.
Kent left the 3-10 split and converted it, but then knocked down only six pins on his fill ball. That gave Simonsen a small window to steal the game. Simonsen could not take advantage, and Kent held on for a 223-210 win to force the roll-off.
Kent struck first in the roll-off. Simonsen answered with two spares. Kent then delivered another strike, closing the match and another title.
Kent reached the title match by defeating A-Squad top seed Deo Benard in a Race-to-Two match that also went to a roll-off. Benard won the first game 205-186, Kent answered 192-186, and Kent took the roll-off 59-34.
Simonsen reached the final from the other side by defeating B-Squad top seed EJ Tackett 2-0. He beat the 2026 PBA World Championship winner 207-191 and 195-154 to set up another meeting with Kent.
Earlier in the A-Squad stepladder, Richie Teece defeated Pennsylvania favorite Bill O’Neill 246-204 before losing to Kent 243-215.
In the B-Squad stepladder, Eric Jones opened with a 214-162 win over AJ Johnson, but Simonsen stopped his run with a 198-179 victory.
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The PBA Tour now heads into a short break before one of its final stops of the season. The 2026 Storm PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles Tournament will take place July 30 through August 2 at Copperfield Bowl in Houston.
