PBA TOUR SHOW AT 1 P.M. SUNDAY

After conquering one of the most challenging tournament formats in Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour history, Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, earned his sixth career title by winning the PBA Etonic Marathon Open last Sunday at Woodland Bowl at Indianapolis, Ind.
Malott defeated hometown favorite Ronnie Russell of Indianapolis, 248-195, in the championship match to win his third title of the year and take a commanding lead in the race for Player of the Year honors. He won a $35,000 first prize.
"That's the goal right now," Malott said of his run for Player of the Year. "This puts me in good position but I can't slack off, there's Norm Duke, Patrick Allen and some others behind me so I've got to stay sharp."
The unique tournament format consisted of 54 games' total pinfall with no match play, over four days contested on six different PBA Tour lane condition patterns leading up to the stepladder finals. The long format and the use of PBA's Cheetah, Viper, Chameleon, Scorpion, Earl Anthony and Shark oil patterns was designed to test the competitors' stamina and versatility.
As the tournament leader, Malott earned the privilege of choosing the Scorpion oil pattern for the ESPN telecast. The Scorpion pattern incorporates a larger volume of oil on the lanes applied to a distance of 42 feet which often demands a more direct line.
The tour continues this week with the Don Johnson Buckeye State Eliminator Championship from Columbus, OH. ESPN TV fianals at Sunday at 1 p.m.