23rd May, Busan: KPBA rookie, Kim Seungmin of Gyeongnam City took the opening squad qualifying rounds of the 2018 PBA-WBT Busan Cup International Bowling Tournament underway at Rainbow Square Bowling Center on Wednesday.

Debutant, Syaffique Ikhwan of Malaysia got off the block with a stunning 269 in his opening game to lead Oh Sanghyeon of Cheonan, Korea in second by 2 pins with Darren Tang of USA in third with 266 and Lee Myeonghun of KPBA in fourth with 258.

Korean national team member, Lee Yeonji rolled the tournament's first 300 in her second game adding to her moderate opening game of 234 to take over the running. Syaffique slipped to second despite another brilliant 268. Oh managed to keep pace with the leading duo in third.

Lee Myeonghun posted a big game of 269 to leapfrog into the lead as the Malaysian and Yeonji trailed in second and third. Oh continue to stay close to the pace-setters. Syaffique managed a decent game of 245 in the fourth to regain the lead.

Ex-Korean national and World Championships gold medallist, Cha Mijeong finished sixth. PBA Player of the Year (2011-12) and winner of 12 PBA titles, Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., managed 10th position with 1163.

The cut in 11th position went to KPBA's Jeon Sucheol with 1150, averaging 230. The top 11 finishers in each of the four squads will make the cut for next round of finals. There are 55 players in each squad and a total of 44 bowlers to advance to the next round at the end of the two blocks of 5 games.

Squad B, C and D players will bowl their first block of 5 games later. They will resume with their second block of 5 games tomorrow.

The first of two PBA-World Bowling Tour stop in Asia this year, the 2018 PBA-WBT Busan Cup is organized by the Korean Professional Bowling Association in conjunction with Busan Metroplitan Bowling Association. The prestigious tournament is endorsed and sanctioned by Korean Bowling Association, Asian Bowling Federation and World Bowling.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Busan, Korea.