TOPEKA, Kan. – Singapore’s Shayna Ng defeated Breanna Clemmer of Clover, South Carolina, Saturday evening, 236-202, clinching her third career title and first in six years at the Professional Women’s Bowling Association Go Bowling Topeka Open, contested at West Ridge Lanes in Topeka, Kansas.
The right-hander qualified as the No. 2 seed for the stepladder after leading the majority of qualifying, but losing that top seed fueled her more.
“I was trying so hard to not lose that top spot,” said Ng. “My main issue was the carry, and I just couldn’t find it (during the last few games).”
Carry was no issue for Ng in the semifinal match, where she faced Bryanna Coté of Tucson, Arizona, who was making a climb up the ladder after qualifying as the No. 5 seed.
The Singaporean bowler started the match with five strikes in the first six frames, holding control early even as Coté began striking into the middle of the match. Three straight spares after a small string of strikes weren’t enough for Coté as Ng never let up and cruised to the title match, 226-192, ending Coté’s run. Coté earned $7,500 for her third-place finish.
The title match saw Ng start with the first six strikes while Clemmer had two spares before a four-bagger, keeping her in the match and had the makings of a potentially great finish if both kept the pace up. The seventh and eighth frames brough back-to-back spares for both bowlers, before a stunning 10 pin miss by Ng in the ninth put Clemmer in the winner’s circle if she struck out.
Clemmer’s own miss of the 2-8 in the ninth put those hopes on life support, before officially being dashed after a second straight 2-8 miss and 202 finish, ending Ng’s six-year title drought. Ng finished with 236, earning the title, trophy and $20,000 top prize. Clemmer earned $10,000 for her runner-up finish.
The emotions for Ng didn’t quite hit her until she lifted the trophy up and was surrounded by her fellow Singaporen teammates, as tears began coming out.
“It’s been a long time for me,” said Ng. “I’ve knocked on the door a few times before, but it didn’t quite work out. To me, every opportunity counts and I’m glad it worked out today.”
Winning the first title of the 10th anniversary season is extra special for her and puts her in the early lead for 2025 PWBA Player of the Year honors, which Ng acknowledged is too early to think about and will take a few days to enjoy the win before heading to the United States Bowling Congress Queens in Las Vegas.
“Every title is special,” said Ng. “More than anything else, I wanted to get that title (after losing the lead) and that was my main motivation.”
Coté began the finals by defeating Lindsay Boomershine of Brigham City, Utah, 198-170, before facing England’s Verity Crawley. Boomershine earned $5,500 for fifth.
In a thrilling match, Coté and Crawley kept pace with each other and tied the match at 224, leading to the first roll off of the season. Crawley’s one shot never hooked and only managed a six count while Coté struck to advance. Crawley earned $6,500 for her fourth-place finish.
The PWBA Go Bowling Topeka Open was livestreamed from start to finish on BowlTV, including the stepladder finals.
The PWBA Tour continues with the USBC Queens, the first major tournament of the season, in Las Vegas at Suncoast Hotel and Casino starting May 14. Preceding the Queens will be the 2025 PWBA Hall of Fame Ceremony as Liz Johnson and Marianne DuRupo are inducted into the Hall of Fame.
