Australia's two-handed tenpin bowling ace Jason Belmonte has ended a two-year title drought on the Professional Bowling Association tour by winning the Players Championship.
Belmonte collected his seventh major title in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday night, defeating fellow two-hander Anthony Simonsen 221-204 in the championship match.
The 33-year-old's dry spell started after he won his third-straight US Masters and second consecutive PBA Tournament of Champions back-to-back in February 2015.
Belmonte had made the top five in 16 tournaments since, and was runner-up in five of those events.
"Two years is a long time to wait, especially considering all the times I had made TV," Belmonte said.
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"I've always believed in myself but I'll admit there's a lot of weight off my shoulders now after all that time because believe me, people will remind you."
Belmonte took a commanding 37-pin lead in the fifth frame of the title match, which proved too great for his 20-year-old American opponent to peg back.
He felt inspired by kicking off the season with his 13th tour victory.
"It's a brand new start," Belmonte said.
