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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
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.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
New Hui Fen sets sights on PWBA Player of the Year award after clinching second title in three days
National bowler New Hui Fen clinched her fourth Professional Women's Bowling Association title with a win at the Rock 'n' Roll Open on June 2. PHOTO: PWBA New Hui Fen sets sights on PWBA Player of the Year award after clinching second title in three days SINGAPORE – After securing back-to-back titles on the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour, Singapore's New Hui Fen has set her sights on an even bigger prize – the circuit's Player of the Year award. The national bowler is now the front runner for the accolade, having captured her second title of 2025 on June 2 by defeating Latvia's Diana Zavjalova 235-187 in the title match of the Rock 'n' Roll Open. Her latest triumph at Yorktown Lanes in Ohio marked her second win in three days at the same venue. The 33-year-old had clinched the BowlTV Open on May 31. In an interview with the PWBA, she said: 'Winning Player of the Year is something I've dreamt of. 'Last year, I was close but (Sin Li) Jane bowled so well, but maybe this year is my year.' Malaysia's Sin became the first Asian to win the accolade in 2024 after claiming four titles, including two Majors. New was among the 16 bowlers who qualified for the match-play round after placing fifth in qualifying with 2,739 pinfalls. In the best-of-five match-play bracket, she opened with a 3-2 win against Sweden's Anneli Blomqvist in the round-of-16, followed by a 3-0 sweep of American Jillian Martin. In the semi-finals, she edged past Jordan Snodgrass of the United States 245-244 to reach the championship match against Zavjalova, who had earlier defeated Julia Bond 267-234. Both bowlers were on even footing through five frames in the final, but the Singaporean reeled off four consecutive strikes from frames six to nine to finish with 235 to Zavjalova's 187 and earn the US$10,000 (S$12,900) top prize. Fittingly, New flashed a rock hand sign as she posed with the trophy after her win. She said: 'I'm very happy and grateful for this back-to-back win. I'm happy that my hard work is paying off and grateful to have this opportunity to perform at my best. 'It's been years of intentional training and showing up every day at the gym and on the lanes.' Next on the calendar for Singapore's bowlers is the June 5-7 PWBA Waterloo Open and the June 10-17 US Women's Open, before they return home. They will be back in the US for the Aug 5-12 2025 PWBA Tour Championship Week, which includes three events, culminating in the season-ending PWBA Tour Championship. New, the PWBA 2016 Rookie of the Year, is hoping to continue the form that has brought her tally of PWBA titles to four in a decorated career that also includes medals on the world stage. On what keeps her going, she said: 'I treat my bowling as a game and I'm a character in that game of bowling – I'm trying my best to level up in every aspect of the game, so that I can be consistent at every competition.' With New's two wins and Shayna Ng's victory at the Topeka Open in May, Singapore has now captured trophies in three of the five PWBA National Tour events so far. Singapore Bowling Federation president Valerie Teo said: 'Hui Fen's latest victory at the PWBA Rock 'n' Roll Open is another incredible testament to her resilience and world-class ability, and it caps off what has been a phenomenal run for Singapore bowling. 'We're incredibly proud of what our bowlers have achieved so far this season. With two wins under her belt already, Hui Fen is currently the front runner for the PWBA Player of the Year award through five events. 'While there's still a long way to go, it's exciting to see her in such strong form and in the running for one of the tour's highest honours .' Kimberly Kwek joined The Straits Times in 2019 as a sports journalist and has since covered a wide array of sports, including golf and sailing. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
