PBA

Matthew Russo Wins 2021 PBA Rookie Of The Year

Matthew Russo Wins 2021 PBA Rookie Of The Year

Matthew Russo was named the 2021 Harry Golden PBA Rookie of the Year after receiving the majority of votes from PBA membership and veteran bowling writers.

Dec 16, 2021 by Jef Goodger
Matthew Russo Wins 2021 PBA Rookie Of The Year

Matthew Russo, whose victory in the PBA Jonesboro Open made him the only rookie to win a 2021 Guaranteed Rate PBA Tour title, was named the 2021 Harry Golden PBA Rookie of the Year after receiving the majority of votes from PBA membership and veteran bowling writers.

“I’ve been anxiously awaiting the news the last two or three weeks,” said Russo. “Am I going to win? What could I have done better if I don’t win? It was one of the best phone calls ever when (PBA Tour commissioner) Tom Clark called to tell me.”

Russo, who along with his title also cashed more times than any other rookie, received 36% of the vote. Zach Weidman, who led rookies in earnings and points with two top-10 finishes in majors, came in second at 29%. Anthony Neuer, whose third-place finish in the U.S. Open included a 7-10 split conversion, was third with 19% of the vote.

Pursuing the Rookie of the Year Award was on Russo’s mind all season.

“I had a feeling going into the season who the top rookies would be,” said Russo, noting that several, including Weidman, Wesley Low Jr. and Benjy Martinez, made it to the regional finals telecasts in the season-opening PBA Players Championship.

“I had a chance to make the Players Championship show but I didn’t,” Russo continued. “I knew I was already behind, but I told myself to build on it event to event. My goal was to make a show and have a chance to win. I felt like I was close when I made the Chameleon cut. I lost to Butturff in match play but I felt like I was doing the right things and improving every week.”

In early August, Russo earned the No. 2 seed for the stepladder finals in the PBA Jonesboro Open, getting a win back against Butturff in the semifinal match before defeating 2019 PBA Rookie of the Year Mykel Holliman for the title.

“Everything changed after that,” said Russo. “It solidified that I can be out here and I can win. Ever since I was a kid, this was something I wanted to accomplish. I couldn’t be more grateful.”

The PBA Rookie of the Year Award is named after legendary PBA Tour tournament director Harry “Goose” Golden, who was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1983.

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