Sean Rash wins PBA Tournament of Champions

LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Sean Rash won the PBA Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes on Sunday, beating Ryan Ciminelli 239-205 in the title match.

The 29-year-old Rash, from Montgomery, Ill., earned $80,000 for his fifth career victory and first since the 2007 United States Bowling Congress Masters.

"This one ranks right up there with the most important titles I've ever won," Rash said. "Your first title is always special, and so is your first major, but this tournament is special because everyone who bowls in it is a champion. The other guys in the finals are all great young players.

Ciminelli, a left-hander from Cheektowaga, N.Y., earned $40,000.

"I'm disappointed I didn't win, but Sean bowled a great game. He earned it," Ciminelli said. "Getting to the title match was another step in my career. I won by far the biggest check I've ever gotten, I qualified for the Japan Cup and I'll get to bowl in the PBA Summer Series, so it was a big week for me.

Ciminelli beat Mike Fagan of Dallas 190-182 in the opening match, and topped Australia's Jason Belmonte 257-223 in the semifinal.

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