2026 PWBA BowlTV Open
Shannon Pluhowsky won the 2026 PWBA BowlTV Open dominantly, defeating Julia Bond 268-205 in the title match at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York. The victory gave Pluhowsky her seventh career PWBA title and her third win at ABC Gates Bowl since 2025.
Pluhowsky earned the top seed for the stepladder finals after going 9-3 in match play and rolling 2,967 pins over 12 games, finishing 249 pins ahead of No. 2 seed New Hui Fen. That total was the second-highest 12-game match-play score since the PWBA relaunched, trailing only Pluhowsky’s own mark from the 2023 PWBA Waterloo Open by 21 pins.
Stepladder Finals
The stepladder began with a fireworks match between Birgit Noreiks and Jordan Snodgrass, who combined for a 553-pin game, the highest total in any stepladder final match since the PWBA relaunch. Noreiks advanced with a 277-276 win, then fell to Bond 235-221 in the semifinal.
Bond advanced after that to face New Hui Fen and controlled the match for most of the way, eventually winning 237-202 to move into the title match. That set up a final against Pluhowsky, who got off to a fast start with seven straight strikes and never let up.
Championship Match
The title match was one-sided early, with Pluhowsky’s opening strike streak putting Bond in catch-up mode almost immediately. Bond struggled through multiple ball changes and never fully recovered, while Pluhowsky kept the pressure on to close out the match 268-205.
The win added to a strong run for Pluhowsky, who said the lane surface at ABC Gates Bowl suits her game and helps her stay comfortable and repeat shots well. She also credited staying grounded at home with helping her compete at a high level while balancing life with her wife and three children.
What It Means
The BowlTV Open further strengthened Pluhowsky’s 2026 campaign and kept her firmly in the mix as one of the tour’s top names. It also highlighted the depth of the PWBA, with New Hui Fen, Bond, Noreiks, and Snodgrass all making deep runs and adding another competitive chapter to the season.
For Bowling readers, this event was a reminder that elite PWBA bowling is often decided by fast adjustments, clean spare shooting, and the ability to sustain carry under pressure. Pluhowsky delivered all three when it mattered most.