6th July, Kaohsiung: Debutant, Top qualifier, Xavier Teo of Singapore beat the dominant Taiwanese spinners to claim the Youth Open Masters title of the 17th Kaohsiung International Open Bowling Championships on Thursday.

Yeh Chen-Guang of Chinese Taipei got off the block with a brilliant 226 in his opening game to lead Jomond Chia of Singapore by 10 pins with Chang Yuen-Hu and Hsu Chung-Wei sharing third spot, a further three pins away.

Chia added 205 in his second game to immediately take over the running followed by 2017 Asian School Singles silver medallist and the only female in the field and competing with 8 pins handicap per game, Chi Yun-Fan in second.

The 19-year-old Singaporean remained in the lead for another game before Chi fired two big games of 226 and 232 to become the new leader while Chia was content to stay in second, 13 pins adrift. Teo stayed with the leading duo in third.

Liao Li-Yang stormed home with 264 and 217 in his two final games to snatch second position with 1610 while Chia hung on to finish third with 1580. Chi ended in fourth with 1564 while Chen Chia-Hsin rounded out the top five with 1563.

Teo pocketed the top prize of NT$30,000 (approx. US$1,000) as champion with Liao earning NT$15,000 as first runner-up. Chia took home NT$10,000 as second runner-up. The Senior Masters finals will be held after lane maintenance whilst qualifying will continue until late tonight.

A one-game desperado squad for the Men's Open division will be staged to select the top three finishers who will qualify for the Masters finals tomorrow.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Kaohsiung.

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