"See You Tomorrow!" – Simonsen Secures Spot in 2025 U.S. Open Finals

2025 U.S. Open presented by Go Bowling!

"See you tomorrow," Anthony Simonsen shouted to the camera after securing a victory over Tom Daugherty in the advancing match of the 2025 U.S. Open presented by Go Bowling! preliminary stepladder finals. The 28-year-old two-hander now moves on to face No. 4 seed François Lavoie on tomorrow's major show on FOX.

The first preliminary stepladder finals match featured No. 9 seed and PBA Delaware Classic winner Graham Fach against Kris Prather. While many bowling fans were hoping for a tight contest, the match was effectively decided in the first half. Fach struggled to find the pocket on the challenging #4 U.S. Open 2025 oil pattern, while Prather struck six times in a row to take an early lead. Ultimately, Prather secured the first win of the preliminary stepladder finals with a 244-190 victory.

In stepladder match two, 33-year-old Kris Prather faced 18-year-old Landin Jordan, the former PBA Junior National Champion and No. 7 seed, who had been spectacular throughout all three qualification rounds. However, just as he had against Graham Fach, Prather showed no mercy to his young opponent. Once again, Prather started with six consecutive strikes, building a lead of more than 50 pins. Although the six-time PBA title winner made a mistake in the seventh frame, Jordan’s missed 10-pin spare in the eighth sealed his fate. From there, the rest of the match was a mere formality, with Prather securing another victory, 218-170.

In stepladder match three, Prather faced 49-year-old Tom Daugherty. Both players exchanged strikes and spares until the sixth frame when Daugherty missed a 10-pin spare. He immediately realized that this small mistake could prove costly. However, Prather left a 4-10 split at the worst possible time, giving Daugherty the advantage in the ninth frame. Daugherty capitalized on the opportunity, striking in the ninth frame and on his first shot in the tenth, sealing a 214-177 victory.

With only one victory away from tomorrow's 2025 U.S. Open Presented by Go Bowling! stepladder finals on Fox, Daugherty stood against Anthony Simonsen. Daugherty took the early lead after a triple, but Simo kept close striking four times through frames three to sixth. On fifth frame, Daugherty left an open due to a split, giving the lead to Simo that he never let go, grabbing the win 233-211.

The 2025 U.S. Open Presented by Go Bowling! will continue tomorrow with the stepladder finals at the Royal Pin Woodland, Indianapolis.

Preliminary Stepladder Finals Scores:

• Match 1: No. 9 Graham Fach - No. 8 Kris Prather, 190-244

• Match 2: No. 8 Kris Prather - No. 7 Landin Jordan, 218-170

• Match 3: No. 8 Kris Prather - No. 6 Tom Daugherty, 177-214

• Match 4: No. 6 Tom Daugherty - No. 5 Anthony Simonsen, 211-233