Professional bowler Jakob Butturff died unexpectedly on Friday at the age of 32, the PBA Tour announced.
Butturff won eight PBA Tour titles, including one major competition — the 2019 USBC Masters.
“Jakob was one of the most unique players in PBA history,” PBA commissioner Tom Clark said. “Fans marveled at his delivery, as he rode a wave of strikes into becoming a top player in the sport, capable of winning at any time, in any event.
“Jakob was kind, he was respectful, and he was a champion. He will never be forgotten. Our hearts are with all Butters touched on his one-of-a-kind journey.”
His cause of death was not announced.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Butturff won his first two PBA Tour titles in 2016. On the PBA Regional Tour that year, he had nine titles and was named Northwest Region Player of the Year.
In 2019, Butturff add three titles as he rose to the No. 2 ranking. His wins that year included the sole major tournament of his career. He also finished second in the Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year voting.
He had career earnings of just over $1 million in 214 events since 2015.
Fellow bowlers took to social media to post their tributes.
“It ain’t supposed to be like this,” EJ Tackett wrote on social media. “It’s nothing short of soul crushing. Butters was one of the guys that would give the shirt off his back for anyone in need and he showed that time and time again. The bowling world lost today and it will never be the same. We all love you buddy. Until we meet again my friend.”
–Field Level Media
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