7th December, Riyadh: Debutant and 51st QubicaAMF World Cup first runner-up, Francois Louw of South Africa emerged as champion of the PBA-WBT #4 9th Kingdom International Open after defeating Frederik Øhrgaard of Denmark in the second deciding final match.

Louw, who was forced into the second deciding match after losing to challenger, Øhrgaard, 226-247 in the first match, bounced back brilliantly in the crucial decider with a 247-239 victory to clinch his first international title.

The champion had rolled the second perfect 300 of the tournament in the eighth and final game of the earlier Final Round to advance to the stepladder finals as top seed with 1921.

"This is my first-ever international title and I couldn't have asked for a better time to winning it," said the South African. "I was angry with myself for throwing a chance to seal the match in the first game.

"So I was determined not to repeat the mistake I made during the World Cup two weeks ago. I knew it wasn;t going to be an easy match especially when Frederik was bowling so well throughout the finals.

"The victory will drive me to taking part in more international events like this," added the champion, who pocketed the top prize of US$25,000 with the first runner-up settling for US$12,000.

Øhrgaard, who had dispatched second-seed, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia, 257-208 in the second stepladder match, defeated fourth-seed, Rickle Kam of Hong Kong and local hopeful, Hassan Alshaikh, 300-269-181 with the second perfect game of the tournament.

Lalisang earned US$7,000 as second runner-up, Kam and Hassan earned US$4,500 and US$4,000 respectively. Shiekh Talal Mohammed Al-Sabah, President of Asian Bowling Federation together with Prince Abdulhakim Al Saud, President of Saudi Bowling Federation presented the prizes to the winners.

The 9th Kingdom International Open is one of the PBA-World Bowling Tour stop and players were awarded WBT ranking points. The Top 16 Asians will contest the last leg of this year's ABF Tour tomorrow.

Photos by Terence Yaw in Riyadh.

6th December, Riyadh: Asian champion, Remy Ong of Singapore making a come back after a three year absence, won the semi-final round of the PBA-WBT #3 9th Kingdom International Open on Sunday.

Bahrain's Mohammed Janahi got off the block with a superb 254 in his opening game to lead 2006 Doha Asian Games Doubles gold medalist, Hassan Alshaikh of Saudi Arabia just one pin followed by 2015 ABF Tour Bahrain winner, Yaqoub Alshatti of Kuwait in third.

Despite Ong added a splendid game of 245 in the second, Hassan shot a higher 258 to take over the running as the Singaporean slipped to second and trailing by 30 pins.

Janahi dropped down to third, 5 pins away while Rickle Kam of Hong Kong and 2014 Incheon Asian Games Singles gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand kept pace with the leading duo in third and fourth positions.

Janahi bounced back with 255 in the third game to regain the lead as Ong and Yannaphon shared second spot, 14 pins behind with Hassan dropping down to fourth after managing just 195.

Whilst the front runners struggled in the fourth game, Ong took the opportunity to lead for the first time when he shot 219. Yannaphon recovered with 249 from a poor previous game of 176 to trail in second.

2015 Sinai Open champion and debutant, Frederik Ohrgaard of Denmark knocked down a sizzling 277 in the fifth game to become the new leader. Ong trailed in second after a 248 while Yannaphon remained in third.

The Singaporean bowled much consistently and with 247, 256 and 203 in his next three games, Ong comfortably won the round with 1889. Yannaphon took second spot with 1807, 82 pins adift.

The Dane ended on a poor 159 to dropped down to fourth with 1762. Kam ended strongly to snatch third spot with 1774 while 51st QubicaAMF World Cup first runner-up, Francois Louw of South Africa rounded out the top five with 1737.

The cut at 11th position went to Day 3 high series award winner, Eric Tseng of Hong Kong with a score of 1645 (averaging 207.13) while the 12th position reserved for a Saudi went to Prince Abdulhakim Al Saud with 1642.

Basel Al Anzi of Kuwait missed the cut by 10 pins finishing 13th. The top 11 together with the top Saudi will be joined by the top four seeded qualifiers from Round 1 for another eight games in the Finals from scratch.

The top five will advance to the Stepladder TV Shootout finals. The first match will be between third, fourth and fifth-seeds. The winner will meet the second seed over one game in the second match.

The winner in the second match will earn a crack at the title against the top seed on a beat-twice format to decide the champion.

Photos by Terence Yaw at Riyadh.

5th December, Riyadh: Perfect gamer, Wu Siu Hong led three Hong Kong team-mates to dominate the special squads on the final qualifying round of the PBA-WBT #4 9th Kingdom International Open to move into the top of the leaderboard.

After winning the US$1,000 Day 2 high series award and added another US$1,000 for the perfect game with 1405, Wu rolled 1315 in the first optional squad for a new 12-game total of 2720 to end the qualifying as top qualifier.

His compatriot, Lau Kwun Ho, who was in tenth position with 2456 before the Optional Squad 1, finished second to Wu with an improved 1360 for a new total of 2677 to leap frog into third overall on 2677.

A third Hong Kong national, Eric Tseng, who was in 26th position with 2336, finished third in the squad with the day's highest series of 1424 to move up to seventh on 2595. A fourth Hong Kong national, Joshua Chow finished fourth to leapfrog from 18th position to eighth overall on 2585.

Day 1 Squad B leader, Khaled Aldubyyan of Kuwait, who was third overall with 2626, slipped out of the top bracket into fifth position. The fourth position reserved for the best Saudi went to Yasser Adulreesh of Saudi Arabia with 2477.

2014 Asian Games Singles gold medalist, Yannaphon Larpapharat of Thailand topped the Optional Squad 2 to make the cut in an improved position of tenth with 2553. Yasser Abulreesh of Saudi Arabia finished second to the Thai for 14th overall.

The cut in 28th position went to 2015 Sinai Open champion, Frederik Ohrgaard of Denmark on 2386 (averaging 198.33). Moeedh Qahtani, Ahmed Al Haydan, Talal Altowereb and Ammar Tarrad were the four best Saudis making the cut in 29th to 32nd positions.

Abdulla Abdul Karim of Bahrain missed the cut by just six pins in 33rd position. Qualifiers positioned 5 to 28 plus the four Saudis will bowl 8 games in the Semi-Final Round tomorrow.

The top 11 finishers and the best Saudi not in the top 11 plus the four seeded qualifiers will contest the Final Round over 8 games on December 7. The top five finishers will advance to the Stepladder Shootout Finals.

Photos by Danny Santos at Riyadh.

4th December, Riyadh: Squad A leader, Prince Abdulhakim Al Saud of Saudi Arabia retained his lead in Squad A of the PBA-WBT #4 9th Kingdom International Open after the second block but slipped into the second bracket.

Prince Abdulhakim extended his lead from 105 to 120 pins at the start of the second block of Squad A as 2014 ABF Tour Thailand leg champion, Shaik Abdul Hameed of India shot 257 to move into second spot.

Despite two low games of 130 in the second game and 149 in the fourth game, the Saudi was able to recover in the fifth and sixth games with 234 and 228 to not only remained in the lead but managed to end the block with 73 pins cushion on a 12-game total of 2453.

Shaik Abdul Hameed regained second spot with 2380 after slipping to third. Adel Al Barqi of Saudi Arabia, who was second, finished third with 2367. Saud Al Khelewi of Saudi Arabia and Mohamed Al Marzouqi of UAE rounded out the top five with 2316 and 2296 respectively.

Although topping the squad, Prince Abdulhakim dropped out of the top bracket and into 11th position. The top three from the earlier Squad B remained unchallenged. Indonesia's Ryan Lalisang led on 2682 with perfect gamer, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong in second on 2674.

Khaled Aldubyyan of Kuwait took third position with 2626 while fourth position is reserved for the top Saudi from positions 5 to 28. 51st QubicaAMF World Cup first runner-up, Francois Louw headed the second bracket in fifth position on 2604.

The cut in 28th position went to Saud Al Khelewi of Saudi Arabia on 2316 (averaging 193). Fifty-five bowlers are registered for Optional Squad 1 (31) and 2 (24). The players will have a chance to make the cut by improving their lower block of six games.

Photos by Danny Santos at Riyadh.

4th December, Riyadh: Two-time 2015 ABF Tour winner, Ryan Lalisang of Indonesia moved into the top spot of the qualifying standingss at the PBA-WBT #4 9th Kingdom International Open after taking over the lead of Squad B at the end of the second block.

Overnight leader, Khaled Aldubyyan of Kuwait remained in the lead despite rolling only 199 in the opening game of the second block. But his lead was reduced to just 10 pins when Lalisang knocked down a scintilating 279.

Another superb 255 from the 34-year-old Lalisang moved the Indonesian into the lead as 51st QubicaAMF World Cup first runner-up, Francois Louw of South Africa took over second position with the Kuwaiti slipping down to third.

Lalisang extended his lead to 70 pins at the halfway mark but Khaled bounced back to take second spot and narrowed the gap to just 23 pins.

Newly-crowned 51st QubicaAMF World Cup champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong shot the tournament's first 300 to stay close to the leading duo. Wu added 256 and 246 following his perfect game to move into second with Lalisang still leading albeit just 17 pins in front.

Lalisang ended the second block with 219 to finish first with 1383 for a 12-game total of 2682 as the new overall leader. Wu shot the highest six-game block with 1405 to finish second with 2674. Khaled settled for third with 2626 ahead of the South African in fourth with 2604.

Squad A leader, Prince Abdulhakim slipped to fifth, based on average. The Saudi has yet to complete his second block. The cut at 28th position went to Mohameed Janahi of Bahrain on 2321 (averaging 193.42).

35 players in Squad A will bowl their second block later today. The combined scores from both squads after the second block will provide a clearer picture of where the cut will be.

Players can still improve their standings with two Optional squads. Their best block from the first two days can be added to the six games from one of the optional squads for a chance to make the semi-finals.

The Semi-finals will be staged on December 6 after the Optional squads tomorrow. The Final will be contested on December 7.

Photos by Danny Santos at Riyadh.

3rd December, Riyadh: Last year's third runner-up, Khaled Aldubyyan of Kuwait took over the lead of the first block qualifying standings at the PBA-WBT #4 9th Kingdom International Open after topping the second squad on Thursday.

Two-time Saudi Open champion, Remy Ong of Singapore got off to a cracking start after rolling 236 in his opening game of the second squad to lead Al Hassan Sugati of Saudi Arabia by just four pins.

But the Singaporean could not hang on to the lead despite shooting 202 in the second game. Khaled downed a superb 247 following his 193 and reigning QubicaAMF World Cup champion, Wu Siu Hong of Hong Kong added 217 to his 223 to share the lead.

A splendid 248 in the third game from Ryan Lalisang moved the Indonesian into the lead with Wu trailing in second by four pins and Khaled slipping down to third, a further 10 pins away.

But Khaled fought back with a stunning 268 to regain the lead and built up a gap of 36 pins to Lalisang in second. QubicaAMF World Cup first runner-up and debutant, Francois Louw of South Africa moved into third.

The Kuwaiti kept his lead despite an average 200 in the fifth but ended the block strongly to top the squad with 1389. The South African also ended strongly to take second spot with 1345.

Lalisang settled for third with 1299 while Wu and 2015 ABF Tour Bahrain champion, Yaqoub Alshatti of Kuwait completed the top five with 1269 and 1264 respectively.

Khaled became the overall leader with his 1389 effort followed by Louw in second. Squad A leader, Prince Abdulhakim Al Saud of Saudi Arabia dropped to third with 1305. The fourth position is reserved for the top Saudi.

Lalisang headed the second bracket in fifth position with the cut in 28th position going to Mohammed Janahi of Bahrain on 1155. The Squad B players will resume with their second block of six games at 1.30pm and Squad A at 6.00pm local time.

Photos by Danny Santos at Riyadh.

3rd December, Riyadh: Prince Abdulhakim Al Saud of Saudi Arabia set the benchmark for the first block of qualifying round at the PBA-WBT #4 9th Kingdom International Open underway at Universal Bowling Centre with 1305 to lead Squad A.

Hassan Oraif of Saudi Arabia got off the block with 218 to lead Prince Abdulhakim by four pins and two other Saudis, Ahmed Al Haydan and Moeedh Qahtani following in third ans fourth.

Prince Abdulhakim took over the running after the Saudi posted 223 in the second as Ahmed moved up into second, 18 pins behind and a fourth Saudi, Talal Altowereb in third. Moeed slipped down after a poor 148.

The leader continued to set the pace with 194, 222, 248 and 204 to end the block with 1305, 105 pins ahead of his nearest rival. Ahmed finished second with 1200 while Moeedh recovered to regain third spot with 1173.

Saud Al Khelewi and Mohammad Nojom completed the Saudi top five with 1165 and 1155 in fourth and fifth positions respectively. 35 bowlers completed their first block while 48 will commence their first block later today making a total of 83 entries.

Players will bowl two blocks of six games and the top three together with the highest ranked Saudi will earn a bye and advance automatically to the finals. Players positioned 5 to 28 plus four additional Saudi qualifiers not in the 5 to 28 bracket will qualify for the Semi-finals.

There will be two optional squads opened for those who wish to replace their lower block of six games from Day 1 and Day 2 qualifying rounds. A player can only bowl in either Optional Squad 1 or 2.

Semi-finals qualifiers (28) will bowl eight games from scratch. The top 11 plus top Saudi together with the four seeded qualifiers (16) will bowl another eight games from scratch in the finals.

The top five finishers will advance to the Stepladder Finals with the third, fourth and fifth seeds matching against each other over one game. The winner will meet the second seed over one game in the second match, losers will be ranked according to scores.

Winner of the second stepladder match will face the top seed on a beat-twice format to be declared the champion. The 9th Kingdom International Open, a World Bowling Tour, is the fourth stop of the 2016 PBA-WBT.

The champion will walk away with the top prize of US$25,000 and PBA bowlers will be awarded an international PBA title. The second block will be contested on December 4 and optional squads on December 5. Semi-finals and Finals will be held on December 6 and 7.

The top 16 Asian finishers at the end of the finals will also qualify for this year's final leg of the ABF Tour - Saudi 2015 which will be held on December 8.

Photos by Danny Santos at Riyadh.