Cherie Tan Wins Lilac City Open
Cherie Tan captured the 2026 PWBA Lilac City Open, defeating Shannon Pluhowsky 225-206 in the title match to earn her sixth PWBA title and first win in nearly two years. The event was held at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York, as part of the PWBA Summer Series - Rochester.
2026 PWBA Lilac City Open
The 2026 PWBA Lilac City Open delivered a strong finish to the PWBA stop in Rochester, with elite left-handers Cherie Tan and Shannon Pluhowsky meeting for the title in the stepladder finals. Tan closed the match with a strike in the final frame before sealing the win with a 225 game and the $10,000 top prize.
The tournament format featured 12 games of qualifying, followed by bracket match play and then a stepladder final. PWBA’s official event schedule showed the Lilac City Open qualifying on Sunday, June 1, with bracket play and finals on Monday, June 2, local time listed on the event page.
What Made It Notable
Tan’s victory was especially meaningful because it ended a title drought that dated back to the 2024 PWBA BowlTV Classic. According to the PWBA report, she rebounded from nearly two years without a win to return to the winner’s circle in Rochester.
The championship matchup also highlighted one of the tour’s most interesting stylistic battles, with two of the PWBA’s top left-handers fighting for the title. The final score of 225-206 reflected a controlled, pressure-heavy final rather than a runaway performance.
Cherie Tan Wins 2026 PWBA Lilac City Open in Rochester
Cherie Tan returned to the winner’s circle at the 2026 PWBA Lilac City Open, defeating Shannon Pluhowsky 225-206 in the stepladder finals at ABC Gates Bowl in Rochester, New York. The victory gave Tan her sixth PWBA title and her first win in nearly two years.
The Lilac City Open was part of the PWBA Summer Series - Rochester and featured a demanding tournament format that included 12 games of qualifying, bracket match play, and a stepladder final. Tan rose through the pressure-packed rounds and finished the event with a clutch title-match performance.
The win was a major moment for Tan, who had not won a PWBA title since the 2024 PWBA BowlTV Classic. With the championship, she proved once again that she remains one of the tour’s most dangerous competitors when the stakes are highest.