Has anyone here noticed that besides Walter Ray Williams Jr., there's also an amateur named Walter Williams Jr. that's bowling in the US Open?

Norm Duke's having another good week, maybe he'll win another major. Barnes is right up there too. Top amateurs are Sean Riccardi, Ron Nelson Jr., Rick Hara, and Anthony LaCaze (who made a telecast earlier this year; I'll be rooting for him)

Wow I can't believe how much Norm Duke faltered in day 3 yet maintained the lead.

Cut line -55. Only 72 out of 408 entrants managed to average 200+ (Actually about the same as last year, though 75 fewer entries.)

I'm sure we'll see norm on TV if not in the winner's circle. The way he can feather his ball to the pocket on that direct line he really can play this condition better than anybody else. Good luck Norm!

I wish someone carried the qualifying on TV.

i wouldnt want them to carry the whole qualifying, i would defiantly like for them to have a weekly show during the week to update us on some of the newest things going around or have the pros review some of the newest equipment, also it would be nice to have some qualifying and match play highlights along with some showing of the other pros/amateurs that dont make TV regularly like Joe Baily and LaCaze

I totaly agree with you there, you hardly ever here the pros talk about what kind of equipment they use, or anything like that. Or maybe discuss the lane conditions and how they decided to play them. I would also like to see some of the guys that dont make TV as much. It would give the sport alot more exposer, if they had somesort of hour long show during they week some time.

One of the top amateurs right now is Ron Nelson Jr. from Bridgeview, IL. About 15 minutes from my house. He is also leading AE at Nationals with 2138 (and tops in doubles to with 1466).

I know that the US Open is literally open to everyone but, come on. There are guys there averaging 150. I know that for the US Open in golf, there is a handicap requirement. They should have the same for this. It has to be frustrating for the professionals to be bowling with some of these people.

Couldnt have said it better myself!

I agree there. It should be the cream of the crop and not your typical beer league player, which leaves both myself and some of my colleagues at All-Star Lanes Thursday PSNS Red & White League out.

I'm not doubting that mine nor anyone else's ability to do well on that tough 40-foot flat pattern, but then again, this is the US Open, where only the absolute best perform up to that high standard that is set for them.

BTW, how's last week's winner (Belmo) doing at his first US Open? The US Open oil pattern (40-foot flat pattern) should play right into his wheelhouse, with the big hook and high rev rate/ball speed that he throws.

Also, with the economy the way it is, and also the plummeting prize funds over the past several months on Tour, is the first place check still $100,000 like it was when Norm Duke won last year, or did it drop, as was the case for this year's USBC Masters (from $100,000 last year to only $50,000 this year)?

Belmo is around 20 out of the cut right now.

Isn't round 3 the cut round? I think he missed it.

I imagine that he actually has too much power for the pattern. It's flat, but it's not that long, it's not that heavy, and there's not a lot of oil to move in to. He was probably on or over the left gutter most of the time, and I imagine his 2nd shift block games were pretty low.