Swedish bowling superstar Jesper Svensson finally got his redemption on home soil, winning the 2024 Storm Lucky Larsen Masters.
After coming so close last year, Svensson took down fellow Swede Teodor Samuelsson in a nail-biting final, scoring 257-238 to claim his 12th career PBA title—this one, undoubtedly, the sweetest of them all.
The tournament, held at Olympia Bowling in Helsingborg, saw Swedish bowlers dominating the competition. By the time the semifinals rolled around, it was an all-Swedish showdown with Jesper Svensson, Teodor Samuelsson, Martin Larsen, and James Blomgren battling it out for the title.
Svensson’s road to victory wasn’t easy—he had to edge out his close friend and one of the tournament organizers, Martin Larsen, in an incredibly tight semifinal match, winning 257-255.
The final was a true test of nerves. Svensson started strong, stringing together seven straight strikes. Samuelsson, another two-handed lefty like Svensson, who just won Odense International for his seconf European Bowling Tour title last Sunday, kept pace and had a chance to clinch the win. But a tricky 7-pin in the eighth frame and a 10-pin in the tenth sealed his fate, allowing Svensson to take control and secure the title.
“Even though I’ve played in so many big tournaments in the U.S., this is the one I really wanted to win,” Svensson shared. “To all my American friends: You’re tough to beat over there, but this is my house!”
The victory was extra special for Svensson and for all of Europe, as the last time a European bowler won a PBA Tour title was back in 2022, when Dominic Barrett claimed the Colorado Springs Open in March. Moreover, Svensson became the first Swedish bowler to win the Storm Lucky Larsen Masters.
The 2024 Storm Lucky Larsen Masters wasn’t just another tournament; it was the final event of the PBA Tour season, and for Svensson, it was a moment of pure redemption and joy. Fans around the world tuned in to watch the action, with the earlier rounds livestreamed on YouTube and the finals on Lanetalk.tv.
Storm Lucky Larsen Masters is the sole Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour event outside the U.S. Participants has a chance to win not only a signature Kosta Boda crystal trophy, but a PBA Tour title as well.
Over 300-player field, including dozens of bowling idols from the PBA Tour such as EJ Tackett, Kyle Troup, or Anthony Simonsen, filled the Olympia Bowling venue from August 23rd to September 1st.
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Final results:
Round of 16: James Blomgren def. Tim Stampe, 650-642; Mario Del Gaudio def. Alvin Kvarnström, 702-687; Dom Barrett def. Mike Bergmann, 708-672; Teodor Samuelsson def. Erik Larsson, 656-638; Robin Ilhammar def. Markus Jansson, 655-605; Martin Larsen def. Nathan Bohr, 686-670; Jesper Svensson def. Arnar Jonsson, 699-623; Paul Purps def. Ludwig Ingerskog, 761-572.
Round of 8: James Blomgren def. Paul Purps, 664-651; Teodor Samuelsson def. Robin Ilhammar, 782-780; Jesper Svensson def. Mario Del Gaudio, 687-658; Martin Larsen def. Dom Barrett, 747-726.
Semifinals: Teodor Samuelsson def. James Blomgren, 254-238; Jesper Svensson def. Martin Larsen, 257-255.
Finals: Jesper Svensson def. Teodor Samuelsson, 257-238.
