Update

FOLLOWING THE SPORT THROUGH TOURNAMENTS, TEAM USA, THE PRO TOUR AND MORE /// SUMMER 2010

The Real Deal

Breaks Out

Bill O’Neill finally lived up to his “Real Deal” nickname this year — at least on the PBA Tour. The former USBC Youth, High School and Collegiate bowler has been wowing onlookers for years, so when he earned his exemption for the 2005-06 pro season it came with a lot of expectations. O’Neill earned the Rookie

of the Year award that sea- son but still had no titles to his name entering the 2009- 10 season. The 28-year- old Pennsylvania native nabbed his first title at the Chameleon Championship during the World Series of Bowling last August and followed that with his first major title, winning the 67th Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open on Feb. 28 in Indianapolis. That win over PBA vet Mike Scroggins (267-207) earned O’Neill $60,000 and a three-year PBA Tour exemption. “This title means every-

thing to me,” O’Neill said. “I can’t begin to explain it. It’s the most difficult title on tour to win. To have my name up there with the guys who have

won it is amazing.”

34 USBOWLER SUMMER 2010