Jakob Butturff
Jakob Butturff (born 1994) is a left-handed American professional ten-pin bowler from Tempe, Arizona, who competes on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.[1][2] He joined the PBA in 2015 and has established himself as one of the tour's top performers, amassing over $1 million in career earnings through 214 events, 129 cashes, and 69 match play appearances.[3] Butturff attended Foothill High School in Henderson, Nevada, and Arizona State University, and he currently resides in Tempe.[4][5] Butturff's career highlights include eight PBA Tour titles—seven standard titles and one major, the 2019 USBC Masters—as well as 27 PBA Regional titles.[3] He achieved a televised perfect 300 game during the 2020 PBA Tour Finals qualifying, marking the 28th such game in PBA history.[3] On the international stage, Butturff won the men's singles title at the 2017 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, and has earned multiple medals as a seven-time member of Team USA, including gold in the Team of Five event at the 2017 World Bowling Championships and silver in the same event in 2018.[6][4] Recognized for his distinctive bowling style and consistency, Butturff has been named three-time PBA Northwest Region Player of the Year (2016–2018) and was the October 2016 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the International Bowling Media Association.[3][7] He endorses equipment from brands like Ebonite and Vise Grips and continues to compete at the highest levels of professional bowling as of 2025.[3]Personal life
Early life
Jakob Butturff was born on April 28, 1994, in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he spent his early years.[8] He was raised in the Las Vegas area, attending Foothill High School in nearby Henderson, and developed a strong connection to the region through his formative experiences there.[5] At age 18, his family relocated to the Phoenix area in Arizona, where he later settled in Tempe and Chandler.[8] Butturff was introduced to ten-pin bowling at a young age, beginning around five or six years old, and quickly immersed himself in the sport. By the time he entered high school as a freshman in 2008, he already had nine years of experience, often practicing up to 20 games a day as a youth to refine his unique style. His early enthusiasm led to participation in local youth and school competitions, where he bowled on the Foothill High School team, posting a 626 series average and achieving a perfect 300 game in May 2008. These initial forays built his competitive foundation before transitioning to more structured amateur events.[9][5] Standing at 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) and bowling left-handed, Butturff's physical attributes, including notable joint hypermobility, contributed to his distinctive delivery that emerged during his childhood practice.[4][9]Family and challenges
Jakob Butturff's mother, Bridget Miyoko Miller, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer during the summer of 2019, a development that deeply affected the family.[10] Miller, a former smoker who quit on the day Butturff turned 21, passed away on November 2, 2020, at age 52 in Las Vegas, Nevada, surrounded by her husband, son Jakob, and her own mother.[11] His father is John Butturff, and he is an only child.[11] The loss of his mother compounded personal struggles for Butturff around 2020–2021, a period marked by the COVID-19 pandemic's disruptions and his own battles with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), diagnosed earlier in life alongside hypermobility.[12] These challenges contributed to mental health difficulties and a dip in bowling performance, prompting significant lifestyle changes such as improved physical fitness and routine adjustments to regain focus and stability.[13] Butturff has noted that ADHD symptoms, including focus issues, have been a lifelong hurdle but also shaped his unique approach to the sport.[9] Throughout these difficulties, including the transition to more demanding professional commitments, Butturff received substantial support from family and friends, who attended his mother's funeral and provided emotional backing during her illness and aftermath.[14] This network helped him navigate the grief and motivational setbacks that briefly impacted his early professional drive around 2020.[15]Amateur career
Domestic competitions
Jakob Butturff began his competitive bowling journey in youth tournaments across Arizona and Nevada, showcasing early talent in the Junior Bowlers Tour (JBT). Competing primarily in the Southwest Conference, he secured multiple victories, including his ninth JBT title at Uptown Alley in 2012 after dominating a high-scoring field.[16] His success extended to Nevada events, where he won the singles title at the 2012 JBT Main Event in Las Vegas, finishing ahead of strong regional competition.[17] Butturff also claimed the 2013 Las Vegas Main Event championship with a thrilling 218-202 stepladder final, highlighting his consistency in open-field showcases. These junior achievements, including a documented 300 game in JBT competition, established him as a dominant youth bowler in the region.[18] Transitioning to collegiate bowling, Butturff represented Arizona State University, where he honed his skills in intercollegiate events. This collegiate involvement built on his junior foundation, providing structured competition in Arizona-based programs. Butturff's domestic amateur career peaked with strong performances in national qualifiers. He earned high placements in events leading to Team USA selection, culminating in a first-place finish at the 2017 USBC Team USA Trials in Henderson, Nevada.[19] After leading or co-leading multiple rounds, including a tie for first following the second round and a solo lead after the fourth, Butturff secured the men's championship with a 14th-place finish on the final oil pattern, earning 45 ranking points overall.[20][21] This victory granted him membership on Team USA for 2017–2019, positioning him for international representation. These domestic accomplishments prepared Butturff for global competitions by solidifying his status among top U.S. amateurs.[4]International achievements
Butturff earned his spot on Team USA through domestic trials, such as the 2017 Men's USA Team Trials, which qualified him for international competition. As a seven-time member of Team USA (2017–2023), he competed in multiple global events.[3] At the 2017 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada, Butturff won the men's singles gold medal, defeating India's Dushyant Aeran in the final.[6] Representing Team USA at the 2017 World Bowling Championships in Las Vegas, Butturff contributed to the men's team gold medal, defeating Sweden 2-0 in the final with scores of 210-189 and 200-180 alongside teammates Tommy Jones, Chris Barnes, AJ Johnson, and Matt O'Grady.[22] This marked the sixth team gold in U.S. history at the event. At the 2018 World Bowling Men's Championships in Hong Kong, Butturff helped secure a silver medal in the team of five event, where Team USA fell 2-0 to Italy in the final after advancing through the bracket with strong qualifying performances.[23][24] Later that year at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, Butturff and partner Nick Pate originally earned silver in men's doubles but were upgraded to gold following the disqualification of Puerto Rico's Jean Perez Faure for a positive drug test, promoting the U.S. duo to the top spot with a 12-game total of 3,054 pins.[25][26] During qualifying, Butturff set Pan American Games records with a 1,516-pin six-game block (252.7 average, including a 280 game) in the first round and later a 1,538-pin block (256.3 average) in the second, also establishing a 3,054-pin 12-game mark.[27][26] In singles, he claimed bronze after advancing to the semifinals with a leading 2,991-pin 12-game total (249.3 average) before losing to gold medalist Nick Pate.[28][29] Butturff capped his amateur international phase with a gold medal in men's trios at the 2021 IBF Super World Championships in Dubai, partnering with AJ Johnson and Kris Prather to defend the title by defeating South Korea in a dramatic final decided by a ninth- and tenth-frame roll-off.[30] In 2022, Butturff contributed to Team USA's gold medal in the men's team event at the IBF World Cup in Queensland, Australia, defeating Colombia 2-0 in the final.[31]Professional career
Early PBA seasons (2015–2017)
Jakob Butturff joined the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour as a rookie in 2015, marking his transition from a successful amateur career to professional competition.[3] During his debut season, he participated in seven PBA Tour events, earning four cashes and totaling $18,400 in earnings while adapting to the demanding travel and performance pressures of the national tour schedule.[3] His amateur background, including strong showings in domestic and international youth events, provided a solid foundation that helped him make three match play appearances despite the steep learning curve of facing established professionals.[3] Butturff's performance surged in 2016, establishing him as a rising star on the PBA Tour. He competed in 17 events, securing three cashes and two PBA Tour titles—his first professional victories—while amassing $59,500 in earnings.[3] His breakthrough came at the PBA Xtra Frame Lubbock Sports Open in June, where the 22-year-old left-hander defeated Shawn Maldonado 267-178 in the championship match to claim the $20,000 top prize.[32] Later that year, he dominated the PBA Xtra Frame South Point Las Vegas Open, leading qualifying and match play by 448 pins before defeating Jesper Svensson 245-225 in the final for his second title.[33] Off the national tour, Butturff set a single-season record with nine PBA Regional titles, earning him West Region Player of the Year and Northwest Region Player of the Year honors, which underscored his versatility and consistency in building momentum.[3] The 2017 season saw Butturff expand his presence with greater participation and international exposure, though he did not capture any PBA Tour titles. He bowled in 33 events, achieving 19 cashes, 17 match play rounds, and $73,825 in earnings, reflecting his growing reliability amid the tour's rigorous format.[3] A highlight came outside the PBA Tour when he represented Team USA at the QubicaAMF World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, where he overcame a third-place semifinal standing to win the men's singles gold medal by defeating Colombia's Oscar Rodriguez in the final.[6] This victory, combined with his strong domestic showings like leading qualifying at the PBA U.S. Open, highlighted his adaptation to high-stakes international play while solidifying his role as a key Team USA member after winning the 2017 Men's USA Team Trials.[34]Breakthrough years (2018–2019)
In 2018, Butturff secured two PBA Tour titles, beginning with a victory at the Go Bowling! PBA 60th Anniversary Classic in Indianapolis, where he defeated Marshall Kent in the championship match.[35] Later that year, he won the PBA Kenn-Feld Group Classic in Coldwater, Ohio, earning his fourth career PBA title and inserting himself into Player of the Year discussions with a top-qualifier performance.[36] He also achieved a runner-up finish at the U.S. Open major in Wichita, Kansas, where he entered as the top seed but fell to Dom Barrett in the final, marking his second consecutive bridesmaid position in the event.[37] These results built on his early professional foundation, elevating his season earnings to $110,870 and solidifying his presence among the tour's rising left-handers.[3] Butturff's momentum carried into 2019, a breakout year highlighted by three PBA Tour titles. He started strong by winning the PBA Oklahoma Open in Shawnee, defeating Jesper Svensson in the final after entering as the top seed for the third straight tournament.[38] His most significant achievement came at the USBC Masters in Las Vegas, where he claimed his first major championship by topping Mykel Holliman in the stepladder final, ending a streak of three prior runner-up finishes in majors.[39] He closed the standard tour titles with a win at the PBA Lubbock Sports Shootout, his third of the season, overcoming Stuart Williams 194-188 in the championship.[40] Additionally, Butturff captured the non-title PBA Clash winner-take-all event in Lake Wales, Florida, earning $50,000 by outlasting E.J. Tackett 258-244 despite an early error.[41] These successes propelled him to career-high earnings of $204,380, finishing second on the money list behind Jason Belmonte.[3] The USBC Masters victory significantly boosted Butturff's ranking and recognition, positioning him as a top contender and earning him runner-up honors in the 2019 Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year voting.[42] During this period, he continued his dominance in regional play, adding to a career total that reached 19 PBA Regional titles by the end of 2018 and extending his streak as a three-time Northwest Region Player of the Year.[43] Personally, Butturff drew motivation from his mother's ongoing battle with stage 4 lung cancer, diagnosed during the 2019 PBA Summer Tour, which provided emotional drive amid his professional surge.[44]Mid-career developments (2020–2022)
The 2020 PBA Tour season presented significant challenges for Butturff due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to the suspension of all events in mid-March and a reduced schedule of just 11 tournaments overall. Despite the disruptions, Butturff achieved a notable highlight by rolling the 28th televised perfect 300 game in PBA history on July 18 during qualifying for the PBA Tour Finals at Bowlero Jupiter in Florida. This accomplishment, broadcast live, underscored his technical prowess amid a truncated season where he participated in 7 cashes and reached match play in 4 events, ultimately with $56,220 in earnings, placing him 16th on the money list.[45] In 2021, Butturff experienced a resurgence, highlighted by his third runner-up finish at the U.S. Open, where he fell to Chris Via 213-214 in the championship match after leading much of the tournament. This performance contributed to a season of 16 events, 12 cashes, 2 match play appearances, and one center-of-the-ring position, with earnings of $111,850 and a fourth-place ranking in points at 17,536. Addressing personal struggles, including the loss of his mother in November 2020 and a lapse in physical fitness, Butturff implemented lifestyle changes focused on health and mental resilience, which he credited for renewed consistency on the lanes.[13] Butturff's 2022 campaign reflected steady involvement without a national title, as he competed in 15 events with 12 cashes, 2 match play berths, and 2 center-of-the-ring finishes, earning $91,575.[3] He maintained regional activity, including qualifying for the PBA Players Championship West Region event, bolstering his overall portfolio of 27 career PBA Regional titles up to that point.[46] Across these years, Butturff's earnings progressed from a pandemic-impacted $56,220 in 2020 to a rebound of $111,850 in 2021 before stabilizing at $91,575 in 2022, with points rankings fluctuating from 17th in 2020 to 4th in 2021 and a mid-pack position in 2022, illustrating a period of adaptation amid external and personal pressures.[45]Recent successes (2023–2025)
In 2023, Butturff ended a nearly four-year title drought by winning the PBA Scorpion Championship, defeating EJ Tackett in the championship match at Bowlero Wauwatosa in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.[47] This victory, his eighth career PBA Tour title, marked a significant resurgence following inconsistent performances in prior seasons.[3] The 2024 season proved challenging for Butturff, as he competed in 14 events, securing eight cashes but no titles or match play appearances.[3] His earnings totaled $33,850, with a season average of 220.52, reflecting consistent but unremarkable play amid broader struggles that placed him 38th in PBA Tour points.[3][48] Butturff rebounded strongly in 2025, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the PBA Tournament of Champions powered by 1800 Tequila, where he lost to Jesper Svensson 197-221 in the title match after advancing through the championship round.[49] Earlier in the year, he earned the top seed for the stepladder finals at the PBA Delaware Classic by qualifying fourth overall with a 244.11 average over 18 games and winning match play rounds against EJ Tackett and Ryan Barnes, but lost the championship match to Graham Fach 200-277.[48][50] Through 17 events as of November 2025, Butturff has recorded 12 cashes and a 221.65 average, positioning him as a top contender in the PBA Elite League standings at ninth place.[3][51] This renewed consistency signals a promising outlook, with Butturff poised for potential titles in the ongoing World Series of Bowling XV and beyond.[52]PBA Tour titles
Jakob Butturff has secured eight PBA Tour titles throughout his professional career, with one being a major championship. These victories span from his rookie season in 2016 to a drought-ending win in 2023, showcasing his consistency and adaptability across various tournament formats. The USBC Masters stands out as his sole major, a prestigious event that highlights elite performance under high-stakes conditions.[3][39]| Event | Date | Location/Venue | Final Opponent | Prize Money | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PBA Xtra Frame Lubbock Sports Open | June 26, 2016 | Lubbock, TX / South Plains Lanes | Shawn Maldonado (267-178) | $20,000 | Butturff's first PBA Tour title, earned as a 22-year-old rookie in a match-play format event.[53][54] |
| PBA Xtra Frame South Point Las Vegas Open | October 30, 2016 | Las Vegas, NV / South Point Bowling Plaza | Jesper Svensson (245-225) | Not specified | Second title of the season, extending his early regional dominance to the national stage in an Xtra Frame event.[8][3] |
| Go Bowling! PBA 60th Anniversary Classic | February 18, 2018 | Indianapolis, IN / Woodland Bowl | Marshall Kent (245-216) | $30,000 | Third career title and first on national television (ESPN), commemorating the PBA's 60th year.[35][55][56] |
| PBA Xtra Frame Kenn-Feld Group Classic | August 26, 2018 | Coldwater, OH / Pla-Mor Lanes | Tom Daugherty (runner-up in total pins) | $10,000 | Fourth title, achieved through a strong qualifying performance in this Xtra Frame regional-style event.[36][57][58] |
| PBA Oklahoma Open | January 13, 2019 | Shawnee, OK / FireLake Bowling Center | Jesper Svensson (championship match) | $25,000 | Fifth title and first of three in 2019, ending a TV finals drought on FS1 broadcast.[38][59][60] |
| USBC Masters (major) | April 1, 2019 | Las Vegas, NV / South Point Bowling Plaza | Mykel Holliman (673-665 in three games) | $30,000 | First major championship, solidifying his status as a top contender; runner-up Holliman earned $25,000.[39][61][62] |
| PBA Lubbock Sports Shootout | June 30, 2019 | Lubbock, TX / South Plains Lanes | Stuart Williams (194-188) | $13,500 | Seventh title and third of 2019, returning to the site of his first win for a narrow stepladder victory on CBS Sports Network.[40][63][64] |
| PBA Scorpion Championship | April 18, 2023 | Wauwatosa, WI / Bowlero Wauwatosa | E.J. Tackett (stepladder final) | $20,000 | Eighth title, ending a four-year drought at the World Series of Bowling XIV; part of a $820,000 event prize fund.[47][65][66] |
Non-title and regional wins
Jakob Butturff has amassed 27 PBA Regional Tour titles throughout his professional career, establishing him as one of the most dominant performers in regional competition.[3] His breakthrough came in 2016, when he set a single-season record by capturing nine regional titles, earning him Player of the Year honors in both the Northwest and West regions.[67] This remarkable pace continued, with Butturff reaching his 20th regional victory in January 2019 during the PBA West/Northwest 3rd Capital City Open, making him the youngest player to achieve that milestone at age 24.[68] By September 2020, he had extended his total to 23 titles, including a win at the PBA Fort Sill Southwest Open.[69] These successes spanned multiple regions, such as the Central, Midwest, and Southwest, showcasing his adaptability across diverse lane conditions and formats.[43] Butturff's regional dominance has not only honed his competitive edge but also bolstered his professional experience, preparing him for high-stakes national events through consistent exposure to pressure-packed stepladder finals and varying oil patterns. While exact regional earnings are not publicly itemized, these victories have contributed substantially to his overall career finances, complementing his PBA Tour income and underscoring his versatility as a left-handed bowler. By 2025, his 27 regional titles tied him for third all-time on the PBA's list of most regional champions.[70] Beyond regionals, Butturff secured notable non-title professional wins, including the 2017 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, where he defeated Colombia's Oscar Rodriguez 246-201 in the championship match to claim the men's singles title.[71] This international triumph highlighted his global prowess as a member of Team USA. In 2019, he won the inaugural PBA Clash, a winner-take-all event featuring top earners, earning $50,000 by outlasting E.J. Tackett 258-244 in the final despite an early errant shot.[41] These victories added prestige and financial stability to his resume, reinforcing his reputation for clutch performances in specialized formats up to 2025.Bowling technique
Delivery style
Jakob Butturff employs a left-handed delivery, a trait that positions him advantageously on the left side of the lane in professional ten-pin bowling competitions.[3] His technique features a conventional one-handed grip with the thumb inserted into the ball, combined with an unusually short five-step approach that begins with his heels at the back of the approach area.[9] This setup allows for a low pushaway and a compact swing held below waist height, cradled similarly to two-handed styles, which minimizes swing length while maximizing control during the release.[9] Central to Butturff's mechanics is his extreme wrist flexibility, stemming from hypermobility in his joints, often described as double-jointedness in his hand and wrist.[9][13] This enables him to start with a deeply cupped wrist position—nearly impossible for most bowlers—and dramatically rotate it at release, positioning the thumb at approximately the 5 o'clock mark and fingers at 1 o'clock before snapping to 7 o'clock.[9] The hypermobility facilitates a high rate of revolutions per minute on the ball, typically around 500 RPM, which is exceptional for a one-handed bowler and enhances the ball's hook potential despite the shorter swing path.[9][72] Butturff's fast approach speed to the foul line further amplifies hand and ball velocity, contributing to an aggressive yet controlled entry into the pocket.[9] Butturff frequently incorporates urethane bowling balls into his arsenal, leveraging their smoother reaction for superior control on challenging oil patterns.[9] These balls allow him to target straighter lines and induce an early roll, aligning with his precise targeting focus on a single board at the foul line.[9] Overall, his style blends aggressive rotational dynamics from the wrist action with the precision afforded by urethane equipment and targeted play, making it well-suited to the variable conditions of modern Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) events.[9] This approach proved instrumental in his navigation of heavy oil during the 2019 USBC Masters, where it supported his first major title.[73]Equipment and sponsors
Jakob Butturff serves as a member of the national pro staff for Ebonite, a division of Brunswick Bowling, which provides him with bowling balls and related equipment as part of his endorsement agreement.[74][3] This sponsorship has been instrumental in supporting his professional career by supplying customized gear tailored to his needs and enhancing his visibility through branded apparel and promotional activities.[75] Butturff prefers urethane bowling balls from the Ebonite lineup, such as the Hammer Purple Pearl Urethane, which he employs to achieve an early roll on the lane, particularly effective on shorter oil patterns or heavier oil conditions.[9][76] His equipment choices have evolved in response to PBA regulations, including the 2022 ban on older, softer urethanes; however, he remains adaptable with compliant urethane options that maintain his performance on varying lane surfaces.[73] Due to his wrist hypermobility, which affords extreme flexibility but requires careful management to avoid injury, Butturff opts for a conventional grip in his balls, often incorporating supportive accessories like tape for stability.[9] These gear selections complement his delivery style by enabling precise control and rev generation despite the joint condition.[9] Additionally, Butturff holds sponsorships for bowling accessories from Vise Grips, aiding in grip customization and thumb support essential for his technique.[77] These endorsements collectively provide financial backing, equipment innovation access, and career sustainability beyond tournament earnings.Career achievements
Statistics overview
Jakob Butturff's performance on the PBA Tour has been marked by steady progression, with strong averages and frequent cashes reflecting his reliability as a left-handed bowler. The table below summarizes his key seasonal statistics, including events entered, cashes (tournaments with earnings), match play appearances, championship round appearances (CRA), titles won that season, season average, and earnings from PBA Tour events. Data is sourced from official PBA records as of November 2025.[3]| Year | Events | Cashes | Match Play | CRA | Titles | Average | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 222.46 | $18,400 |
| 2016 | 17 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 218.42 | $59,500 |
| 2017 | 33 | 19 | 17 | 3 | 4 | 224.41 | $73,825 |
| 2018 | 34 | 19 | 17 | 6 | 7 | 223.59 | $110,870 |
| 2019 | 31 | 21 | 18 | 9 | 5 | 219.63 | $204,380 |
| 2020 | 11 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 219.99 | $25,470 |
| 2021 | 16 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 219.01 | $111,850 |
| 2022 | 15 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 218.96 | $91,575 |
| 2023 | 19 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 223.92 | $175,125 |
| 2024 | 14 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 220.52 | $33,850 |
| 2025 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 221.65 | $115,455 |
| Total | 214 | 129 | 69 | 29 | 20 | - | $1,020,300 |