Social media has a new bowling hero in 'The Ginger Assassin' after rare PBA feat
Many may have missed the moment live, but the Ginger Assassin made his name and feat known on Monday morning.
Professional bowler Andy Neuer is known as the Ginger Assassin in the world of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). And now the teenager is a household name after converting a 7-10 split for only the fourth time in PBA Tour history on TV. It's the first time in 30 years it's been converted on a televised competition.
Neuer kept his calm throughout the spare, but the announcers didn't even come close to holding in their excitement. It's a moment worth seeing and an enthusiasm worth hearing by Fox Sports' Rob Stone during the U.S. Open semifinal match.
An 18-year-old professonal bowler converted a 7-10 split on TV today for the first time in 30 years. pic.twitter.com/4Qfhy546fr
— Bryan Armen Graham (@BryanAGraham) April 11, 2021
Neuer, who turns 19 on April 26, was competing against Jakob Butturff, 26, at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada. Neuer made history, but unfortunately lost, 257-203.
Butturff lost in the final, 214-213, to Chris Via, who won his first PGA Tour title at the age of 29. Butturff has finished second in the U.S. Open, the fifth and final major of the season, a total of three times in his career.
Neuer, a lefty, is the son of Andy Neuer, who won a PBA Tour title in 1994. He was on the junior team for four years from 2018-2021 and collected one gold medal (all-events), two silvers (doubles, trios) and one bronze (singles) at the 3019 PABCON Youth Championships. In 2014, he won the U12 Junior Gold Championships and added a third-place and runner-up finish at the U15 level.
The PBA is in its fourth year partnering with Fox Sports and the finals aired on FS1. Ratings on the channels have held steady and certain broadcast graphics and features are making it easier for the casual fan to get into the sport.
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