JUPITER, Fla. – Kyle Troup overcame the pressure of competing for a massive, guaranteed payday Saturday as he earned the top seed for the 2021 PBA Players Championship stepladder finals.

Troup put up the highest three-game total in the seeding round, which was broadcast live on FloBowling, at Bowlero Jupiter and will bowl for the title Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Eastern on FOX (U.S.) and FloBowling (international).

Trailing the leaders by 20 pins after the first game, Troup made a big comeback and put up a 741 series to finish in the top spot. He had games of 238, 279 and 224.

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Troup, a six-time PBA Tour champion who won three times in the shortened 2020 season, is looking for his first major title. A win Sunday could prove career defining, and he has guaranteed himself a $130,000 payday.

The winner of Sunday’s finals will earn $250,000 and by making it to the title match, Troup has already guaranteed himself second-place money.

Francois Lavoie earned the No. 2 seed with a 726 series. He fired games of 245, 224 and 257, nearly catching Troup down the stretch.

Lavoie tossed four straight strikes in the final frames to put pressure on Troup, forcing him to get at least a mark with count to earn the top spot. Troup was up to the task, striking on his first shot to lock it up.

Dick Allen finished with the third seed with a 717 series, followed by Tom Smallwood (709) and Anthony Simonsen (694).