Dubai: Incheon Asian Games bronze medallist Shaker Ali Al Hassan of the UAE secured a bye into the third round of finals after finishing third in the open qualifying competition at the fifth Dubai International Open Bowling Tournament on Monday.
Shaker registered 694, 710 and 730 for a 9-game tally of 2,134 to finish third behind leader and 2012 champion Kim Bolleby of Sweden (2,174) and compatriot Naif Oqab (2,172).
Oqab made two attempts on Sunday but failed to better his total, while a third Emirati bowler, 2014 Hong Kong Open champion Hussain Al Suwaidi, also made two attempts to improve to 2,085.
Al Suwaidi had tied with defending champion Mahmoud Al Attar on 2,066, forcing a one-game roll-off to determine who would earn the fourth bye spot given to the top UAE player outside the top three. Al Suwaidi’s improvement secured him that crucial spot.
Qualifiers positioned five to 24 will contest the eight-game round two finals, with the field then cut to 12. These will join the top four qualifiers for another eight games in round three.
The top five then proceed to the step-ladder final shootout for the top prize of Dh60,000. The top 16 Asians will also qualify for the ABF Tour UAE leg.
Several players made in-roads into the top 24 standings on Monday. They included ABF Tour Bahrain first runner-up Anthony Balabbo of Philippines in 12th position with 2,037 and Salem Al Hajras of Kuwait taking up 14th with 2,023.
Newly-crowned women’s champion Samantha Hannan of England also made the cut in 17th position with 2,001.
