New Hui Fen emerges as front runner for PWBA Player of the Year award after US Women's Open win
New Hui Fen won her third PWBA title of 2025 by clinching the PWBA US Women's Open on June 18. PHOTO: SINGAPORE BOWLING FEDERATION
New Hui Fen emerges as front runner for PWBA Player of the Year award after US Women's Open win
SINGAPORE – Entering the US Women's Open stepladder finals as the lowest-ranked seed, Singapore bowler New Hui Fen knew the odds were stacked against her.
But focusing on her 'intention behind each shot', the fifth seed toppled all four bowlers ranked above her en route to clinching one of the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) tour's major titles for the first time and the winner's Green Jacket.
New, who ended with 11 consecutive strikes in the title-decider, proved too strong for American top seed Jordan Snodgrass, prevailing 290-188 to bag the US$60,000 (S$77,100) top prize on June 18.
Calling her third PWBA title of the season her best career achievement yet, the 33-year-old said: 'I'm very happy that I've been able to perform consistently this year.
'It feels really great, especially since all the (oiling) patterns were so hard. It feels like a good affirmation that my hard work is paying off.'
New's success at Sun Valley Lanes in Lincoln, Nebraska, which comes after her BowlTV Open and Rock 'n' Roll Open victories on May 31 and June 2 respectively, positions her as the front runner for the PWBA Player of the Year Award .
However, she is not getting carried away. 'It's not over yet. There's still a few more competitions to go,' said New, citing the Aug 5-12 PWBA Tour Championship Week, which comprises three events, culminating in the season-ending PWBA Tour Championship.
'I know I will give it my best shot to perform consistently to be able to have a shot at winning it (Player of the Year),' she added.
At one stage, though, victory in Nebraska had looked like a long shot. She finished joint-19th with a 6,388 pinfall total after 32 qualifying games to advance to the match-play stage, along with teammate Shayna Ng (6,374), who just made the top-24 cut.
After the first of two match-play rounds, New rose to second . But she slipped to fifth in the third round , just enough for her to squeeze into the stepladder finals as the only non-American.
Ng finished ninth.
While New's chances of winning were slim, as she needed to overcome the four opponents ahead of her in a 10-frame, single-game stepladder format, she maintained a positive outlook.
When asked if she felt she had stood a chance as the fifth seed, New said: 'I think everyone had a chance of winning. I was (just) focusing on the intention behind each shot, making sure it's the correct release and with flow.'
Maryssa Carey was the first to fall as she was beaten 246-189 by New. The Singaporean then defeated Crystal Elliott 228-183.
Halfway through, New realised that 'there was a high chance I could win'.
She bested second seed Lauren Russo 262-174 to set up a showdown with Snodgrass, who had won the previous event, the Bowlers Journal Waterloo Open on June 7 .
New, who pipped Snodgrass 245-244 in the semi-finals of the Rock 'n' Roll Open, prevailed by a bigger margin against the 2023 PWBA Player of the Year this time as she also set a record.
Her four-game stepladder total of 1,026 pinfalls was the highest since the relaunch of the PWBA Tour in 2015 – eclipsing American Bryanna Cote's tally of 1,022 from the 2022 BVL Classic.
New's fifth title and second Major triumph, after the 2016 PWBA Tour Championship, means she has met the minimum criteria to be inducted into the PWBA Hall of Fame once she turns 50. This would make her the first Singaporean to achieve that feat.
New was ecstatic to have the opportunity to be among esteemed company, saying: 'I never thought that at age 33 I would be eligible for the Hall of Fame. When I think of the Hall of Fame, I think of Leanne Hulsenberg and Liz Johnson.'
Singapore Bowling Federation (SBF) president Valerie Teo was full of praise, saying: 'Hui Fen is not just making history, she's inspiring a generation. It demonstrates her exceptional talent, unwavering focus and relentless drive.
'This is a proud and unforgettable moment for Singapore bowling and we are behind her every step of the way.'
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