Tom Smallwood rolls 836 to lead singles at 2026 USBC Open Championships
May 25, 2026
RENO, Nev. – Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Michigan, connected for at least nine consecutive strikes during each game of his singles set Monday at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships to take the lead in Regular Singles with an 836 series.
The three-time Professional Bowlers Association Tour champion rolled games of 290, 267 and 279 at the National Bowling Stadium to surpass the 816 posted by Robert Oakleaf Jr. of Louisville, Kentucky, on April 5.
After the 290, Smallwood opened in the first frame of Game 2 and recorded a spare in the second before striking on his next nine deliveries (nine count on the fill ball). He struck to start Game 3, before a spare in the second. Smallwood again rattled off nine in a row before leaving a 7 pin on his final delivery, closing the set with strikes on 30 of 36 shots.
Stepping up in the 10th frame of Game 3, Smallwood needed the first strike for the chance to take the outright lead from Oakleaf.
Smallwood, making his 21st appearance at the USBC Open Championships in 2026, had started the day with games of 216, 274 and 217 in doubles for a 707 series. He added 658 in team Sunday to finish with an all-events total of 2,201, which ties him for fourth in the Regular Division.
Watch the video below to hear more from Smallwood on his day in Reno.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
The three-time Professional Bowlers Association Tour champion rolled games of 290, 267 and 279 at the National Bowling Stadium to surpass the 816 posted by Robert Oakleaf Jr. of Louisville, Kentucky, on April 5.
After the 290, Smallwood opened in the first frame of Game 2 and recorded a spare in the second before striking on his next nine deliveries (nine count on the fill ball). He struck to start Game 3, before a spare in the second. Smallwood again rattled off nine in a row before leaving a 7 pin on his final delivery, closing the set with strikes on 30 of 36 shots.
Stepping up in the 10th frame of Game 3, Smallwood needed the first strike for the chance to take the outright lead from Oakleaf.
Smallwood, making his 21st appearance at the USBC Open Championships in 2026, had started the day with games of 216, 274 and 217 in doubles for a 707 series. He added 658 in team Sunday to finish with an all-events total of 2,201, which ties him for fourth in the Regular Division.
Watch the video below to hear more from Smallwood on his day in Reno.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.