Pretty good show, overall. Coming into the final match, I felt that Wes looked a lot more crisp compared to Tommy during the whole show, at least in terms of execution. As George pointed it out, the variables involved with this week's playing conditions aren't things they see very often on tour, so this made the show really interesting and quite puzzling for the players on the telecast this week.
For those who may have issues with bowlers' perceived attitudes, whether seen in public or television, you have to understand that these guys are professional athletes. They live to win, and win to live. Sure, that's a cliche thing to say, but it's true for a lot of these guys. The two men in the finals are fighting for about a $12,000 spread in their checks, and I'm quite certain that that $12,000 will be beneficial toward keeping their homes and families.
There are bowlers out on the tour that I am both a fan of an not a fan of. However, I wish to see a lot more respect for what the guys are doing week-in and week-out for a living. It's not easy to do what they do, nor is it a glamorous way to make money, either.
Back to the show- I thought Wes had a very good look in his semifinal match, but until he had gone to his fill balls in the 10th frame of his first match, I thought that purple/plum ball that he was throwing looked pretty good and unless Tommy figured something out with his reaction (which I thought was quite weak in the semifinal), Tommy might as well be packing up to go back home for a few days to collect his $12,000. Turns out in the end, I was wrong and saw that the reason why Wes probably lost this title was because of his lane playing strategies toward the end of the first match and probably during the practice shots prior to the finals match, causing him to be quite confused with his look in the final match- ultimately costing the title.
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-Jeremy Vitug
