With just three appearances this season, Malaysia's Sin Li Jane is making waves in the ongoing Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) Tour in the United States, positioning herself as a strong contender for the Player of the Year award.
On Thursday, Li Jane clinched her second title by winning the PWBA Greater Nashville Classic in Tennessee, marking her second victory in three weeks and a career third overall.
Li Jane defeated Singapore's Cherie Tan 257-208 in the final at the Smyrna Bowling Center.
The 32-year-old previously triumphed at the PWBA Bowlers Journal Rockford Open in Illinois on May 11.
Bolstered also by a commendable sixth-place finish at the USBC Queens, a major tournament on the PWBA Tour schedule, Li Jane now leads the season-long points standings with 26,500 points, ahead of Tour heavyweights Kelly Kulick (25,750) and Shannon Pluhowsky (25,500).
In an interview with the PWBA Tour, Li Jane was asked if she had considered vying for the Player of the Year title in her first full season on the circuit.
"That would be great, I hadn't thought about that. If that were to happen, it would be incredible," said Li Jane.
Li Jane, a former European Bowling Tour No. 1, expressed satisfaction at taking a chance on the full PWBA Tour season and being rewarded handsomely for it.
Competing in the United States where the circuit runs from May to August, Li Jane covers her own expenses.
"I've been planning this for some time now. I'm glad I finally took the plunge and achieved significant success in a short span," Li Jane said when contacted.
"However, I won't be complacent. There are more tournaments ahead, including the next major, the US Open, but I'm taking it one challenge at a time.
"I didn't set specific targets this time, considering it's my first full season. Being here on my own, self-funded, adds another dimension of fulfillment."
Li Jane secured her PWBA Tour breakthrough back in 2017 when she won the PWBA Lincoln Open.
At that time, Li Jane was competing as part of the national team's overseas stint, fully supported under the Podium Programme from 2016 to 2017.
