MOORESVILLE, N.C. – After lapping the field each of the past two years in qualifying and match play, the spotlight was on Jakob Butturff to see if he could continue that success at this year’s U.S. Open.

Instead, Butturff bowled what he called “the worst block of my career” in the opening round of qualifying Friday night.

The lefty with the quirky release finished in second-to-last place after the first round, averaging just 164.38 after totaling 1,315 for eight games at Victory Lanes.

“Yeah yesterday was the worst block of my career,” Butturff posted on Facebook. “It was embarrassing and pathetic. I wasn’t patient and I tried to push every shot to strike when I should be trying to grind. I have no words for that performance last night. However that won’t stop me from giving myself a chance. I’m going out with a bang.”

Butturff, who is in the running for 2019 PBA Player of the Year along with first-round leader Jason Belmonte, will need to put together two massive blocks in the second and third rounds to make a run at the first cut.

Just 16 games remain before the field is cut from 144 players to 36 and after the opening round, Butturff sat 294 pins behind the cut number.

Butturff will bowl on the second squad of the day Saturday and the first squad of the day on Sunday. All qualifying and match play rounds of the event are being broadcast live on FloBowling.