WATCH IT!

USBC Masters National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nev. Feb. 13, 3 p.m. Eastern Live on ESPN

THE GOOD OLD DAYS: Click on the play button (left) to watch the last bowler to win

back-to-back Masters titles, Billy Welu, successfully defend his title at the 1965 USBC Masters.

taken the PBA Tour by storm the past few seasons. “I’ve never had a

TIME TO SHINE?: Is the third time the charm for Team USA’s Tommy Jones to capture his first Masters title?

whole lot of success at the Masters,” said Fagan. “I had a top 24 finish once. The Mas- ters is one of the events that people never for- get when you win it. It’s right near the top of goals I have to ac- complish in my career, right next to the U.S. Open and Tournament of Champions. Those are the three you really want to win in your career. “I think it’s my turn

to start winning the majors. I’m looking

18 USBOWLER FEBRUARY 2011

forward to every major that comes along now. I turned 30 this year and the 30s is really where most bowlers start to excel in their careers. I’m at the point where I know what to do and now it’s just a matter of executing.” For his part, Fagan

thinks Koivuniemi has the best shot at win- ning the Masters going in.

“I’d love to be like

Mika,” he said. “He won last week (the Tournament of Cham- pions), and he just never gives up. He’s very resilient. I abso-

lutely respect Mika and his game, one of the best out there. He’s always going to be in contention. You can‘t help but respect what he’s done in the sport and his ability. He’ll just flat-out beat you.” Malott agrees. “Mi-

ka’s a tough competitor and not someone you’d necessarily want to go up against at the Mas- ters, but the old say- ing is you have to beat the best to be the best, right? “Winning the Mas-

ters is definitely my goal this month. I want to win every major, though. Winning the